A change in seasons often brings a change of routine. Summertime might mean more time enjoying the outdoors, maybe a vacation, but also heat, and potentially cancellations from friends or regular activities as people head out of town. You may find yourself dropping old habits and picking up new ones – for better or for worse! As we’re about to reach the heart of summer, it may be a good time to pause, and affirm or change your Parkinson’s (or caregiver) self-care routine.
You’ve heard the same advice a million times before: it’s good to exercise, to be social, to drink more water, to practice mindfulness, et cetera. Maybe you’ve thought about making changes to your daily routine, but as I’m sure we all know, it can be difficult to start a new habit. Make things as easy as possible for your future self. Set out a glass of water before you go to bed, so that it’s ready to drink in the morning. If you want to start going on a daily walk, set a recurring reminder on your phone, and put your sneakers out the night before. If you’d like to start reading more, set out a book on the seat where you normally watch TV. Try tying a new habit to an established one. If you make coffee every morning without fail, and you want to start a daily exercise routine, you might put a sticky note on your coffee maker reminding you of this. (You could even do some of these seated exercise videos while you sip…just be careful not to knock over your coffee!!) While brushing your teeth at night, reflect on what you were grateful for during the day. Make a recurring appointment with a friend. It’s harder to skip out on activities if someone is planning on meeting you there!
After a month or two, you won’t need the reminders anymore; the activity will become a habit.
If you’d like to make a change to your routine, and are looking for inspiration, check out the bottom of this newsletter for our section of links to regional exercise classes and support groups. Or find inspiration for caregiver self-care here.
Update from the Parkinson's Foundation Resource Fair
Dr. Meaghan Berns (right), UMP clinical nurse Becky Southwick (center), and MnDRIVE DBS Core project manager Marina Bryants (left) gave out swag and answered questions at our resource table at the Parkinson's Foundation Resource Fair on June 11 in Eden Prairie.
Dr. Berns also gave a great talk at this event. (If you're looking for a clinician or researcher to speak at your group's event, email us! pdresearch@umn.edu)
Unique volunteering opportunity
The University of Minnesota's Center for Interprofessional Health is connecting people with ongoing health conditions to the healthcare providers of tomorrow. "Community Teachers" (that's you!) share their experience of the healthcare system (the good, the bad, and the ugly) with small groups of 3-4 UMN healthcare students. If you're interested in giving tomorrow's nurses, doctors, and aides an inside view of what it's like to have Parkinson's, please click here for more info.
*Free* PD Events in July
Minneapolis metro area
Forest Bathing When: Saturday, July 19th, 9am-11am Where: Cleary Lake Regional Park in Prior Lake Notes: This one is not just for those with PD; bring your friends! To see what the heck Forest Bathing is, or to register, click here. For help registering, email Allison.Adrian@ThreeRiversParks.Org
Northern Minnesota
Connecting Through Art - Hermantown
When: Monday, July 21, 2025 from 10:30 am – 12:00 pm Where: YMCA at Essentia Health Wellness Center Notes: Event by APDA. For more info, or to register, click here.
Virtual
DANCE for the Body, Mind and Spirit
When: Every Sunday at 2:30pm CT Where: Phone/tablet/computer Notes: Event by APDA. For more info and to register, click here.
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