Life is full of little decisions that can either add or diminish stress. By building simple, intentional habits, you can save time, reduce frustration, and create more space for the things that matter. Here are five practical life hacks to help improve your days with Parkinson’s.
1. Snack Smart
Healthy eating often feels harder than it should, especially when processed foods are so much easier to grab. The key is prep. Wash and chop snackable fruits and veggies in advance and keep them in clear containers in your fridge to ensure you have wholesome snacks at the ready no matter how busy your days get. If washing or chopping is too difficult, consider purchasing prewashed and cut veggies. Think of it as removing decision fatigue from snacking.
2. Promote Exercise Success
Sticking to an exercise plan is easier when you embrace discipline. Prepare in advance by strategizing the night before and laying out your clothes and gear so all you have to do the next day is get dressed and get started. Whether it’s a class, walk, or traditional gym workout, this small but important step saves morning energy and increases your chances of overcoming the excuses we all gravitate toward when working out seems like too much effort.
3. Start Your Day with Sky, Not Screens
The way you begin your morning sets the tone for the whole day. Instead of reaching for your phone as so many of us do, step outside and observe the sky before looking at a screen. Take a deep breath, stretch, and set a simple daily intention, like “I will speak kindly to myself” or “I will honor my feelings.” This mindful moment can help you feel grounded and focused no matter what comes next.
4. Simplify Daily Chores
Chores can be exhausting, but the right tools will lighten the burden. For example, sitting on a wheeled stool while you load laundry machines and using a laundry tote to transfer clothes from washer to dryer can save a lot of energy and time. You can also break down big chores into smaller steps, taking an incremental approach to accomplishing complex tasks. Small adjustments add up to big changes!
5. Build Everyday “Go-To” Kits
Quick access to necessary objects is another great way to lower stress and save time. Keeping premade activity kits like puzzles, paint sets, or knitting supplies around the home provides an easy creative outlet when you have downtime, reducing the need to dig through boxes and drawers looking for the tools you need. Similarly, stashing small conveniences like applesauce pouches for taking medications, or a compact camping stool for outdoor outings, makes daily life more flexible and enjoyable. The more time you spend preparing, the less stress you’ll encounter later!
Life hacks don’t have to be complicated. With some forethought and planning, you can create routines that support healthier choices and make room for the activities you love. Try one or two of these hacks this week and see if your days begin to feel a little lighter and more manageable.
Living with Parkinson’s disease brings unique challenges, especially when it comes to mobility, balance, and safety. Fortunately, modern technology can help make life a little easier and more comfortable. Let’s explore some practical ways smart devices and simple home updates can support people with Parkinson’s and offer peace of mind to their loved ones.
Medication Management
Staying on top of medication schedules is very important in Parkinson’s care. Automated medication dispensers and reminder apps (like My KP Meds, for example) help ensure medicine is taken correctly and on time, while lockable pillboxes and medicine cabinets protect prescriptions from interference and keep them from getting lost.
Meal Prep
Grocery and meal delivery apps are a fantastic way to cut down the number of daily errands and provide a stocked pantry with less effort. If cooking is physically demanding, smart appliances such as ovens and microwaves with programmable features can automate parts of the process, reducing the need for prolonged standing or bending.
Transportation
As we age, driving may become unsafe or no longer feasible. Rideshare services like Uber and Lyft, along with public transit apps, can preserve independence once driving is off the table. Consider using these options regardless of driving ability during times of high physical and mental discomfort. Sitting back and enjoying the ride is a powerful way to relieve the stress of travel.
Fall Prevention
Falls are one of the most common and serious risks for people living with Parkinson’s. Muscle stiffness, slowed movement, and balance issues can make everyday hazards like cluttered floors, dim lighting, or steep stairs much more dangerous. Wearable devices such as GPS trackers, bracelets, or smartwatches can alert caregivers to someone’s location, while call detection devices and smart speakers can request help immediately after a fall. It’s a good idea for those living with gait difficulties to carry a call device anytime there’s a risk of falling.
In addition to smart technology, these simple home adjustments can greatly reduce fall risks:
Floors – Remove clutter, move pet bowls and toys out of walkways, and secure rugs with non-slip backing
Kitchen – Store frequently used items within easy reach and use a sturdy step stool when necessary
Bathroom – Install grab bars, nonslip mats, and consider a shower chair
Stairs – Install good lighting and add handrails on both sides
Bedroom – Keep a phone or fall alert device by the bed and ensure its within easy reach
Outside – Add motion sensor lights near doorways, steps, and gates
When to Ask for Help
While smart technology offers meaningful solutions for Parkinson’s patients who want to live independently at home, it’s not a substitute for human support. If you or a loved one struggles with home safety, it may be time to discuss additional options with your healthcare team. Sometimes a higher level of living assistance is required, and it’s best to identify that as early as possible to reduce the risk of injury.
By combining technological support with practical fall-prevention strategies and human interventions, we can create safer, more comfortable environments for those living with Parkinson’s.
Basic daily life skills, such as reaching for objects, are affected by Parkinson’s. By practicing movement sequences, these skills can be improved and strengthened. Mindful Movement teaches people with Parkinson’s adapted yoga movements by uniting thought and action.
About the Presenter
Char Grossman MA, ED.S., C-IAYT is a nationally certified psychologist and formally trained certified yoga therapist. Learn about the benefits of Mindful Movement and follow a demonstration. She has authored a diverse collection of blog posts, been a panelist for Curetalks, and given two interviews to The Huffington Post. Char continually integrates complementary tools that reinforce the idea “If you put your body and your mind together, you’ll see changes.”
September 2, 2025
While meditation is one of the best-known ways to quiet the mind and refresh your senses, practicing mindfulness doesn’t have to mean sitting still for 20 minutes with your eyes closed. Sometimes, the simplest activities can help you reset and sharpen your focus. Here are seven easy ways to bring mindfulness into your day.
1. 5-4-3-2-1 Grounding Technique
When your mind is racing, take a moment to pause and notice:
5 things you see
4 things you feel
3 things you hear
2 things you smell
1 thing you taste
It’s a fast, reliable way to get outside your head and anchor yourself in the present moment.
2. Slow Your Roll
If you’re on the go, walk slowly and pay attention to each step. Notice the rhythm of your feet, the feel of the ground under your shoes, and your surroundings. Even just a few minutes of mindful walking can clear mental clutter.
3. Stay in the Moment
No matter what you’re doing, take a few moments to pay close attention to your movements and sensations. If you’re drinking a beverage, for instance, sip slowly and savor it. Notice the temperature, flavor, and sensation. These tiny pauses can transform an everyday habit into a calming ritual.
4. Box Breathing
Inhale for 4 counts, hold for 4, exhale for 4, hold for 4, and repeat as many times as you like. This simple breathing exercise helps regulate stress and takes only a few minutes.
5. One-Minute Body Scan
We often hold tension in our bodies without realizing it. Close your eyes and focus your attention from head to toe, noticing where you feel tight or anxious. Then consciously relax those areas and take a few deep breaths to release the tension.
6. Declutter a Small Space
When you’re at home or at work, choose one drawer, desktop area, or digital folder. Pay attention to the act of sorting and letting go. Intentionally cleaning and organizing even a small space provides a sense of accomplishment and focus.
7. Micro-Pausing
Before switching gears and taking on a new task or activity, take a breath, roll your shoulders, and sit still for a moment to clear your mind. Imagine releasing your previous thoughts and concerns. This redirects focus to what’s coming next and helps prevent mental clutter from building up throughout the day.
To learn even more great ways to incorporate mindfulness into your daily life, sign up for our upcoming Wellness Webcast Mindful Movement for Parkinson’s!
September 2, 2025
It’s well known that Parkinson’s disease can increase anxiety and impair relaxation. Fortunately, there are ways to help mitigate it. Music is one of the most enjoyable tools for decreasing stress and promoting relaxation because it engages brain networks tied to emotion and reward. This means that listening to music can boost dopamine, the neurotransmitter depleted by Parkinson’s. Listening to music also supports mental health by stimulating social connection and emotional comfort.
Is all music created equal or are some varieties better than others at relaxing the brain? Let’s find out!
Instrumental Music
One of the best choices for calming the brain is instrumental music. Unlike songs with lyrics, instrumental tracks allow the mind to ease without the need to process language or concrete meaning. This is particularly helpful for people with Parkinson’s, who may already be managing cognitive fatigue. Research from neurologic music therapy programs supports the use of slow instrumental music to reduce anxiety, improve mood, and even enhance sleep quality in people with neurological conditions.
Music with a tempo of around 50 to 60 beats per minute is ideal for reducing heart rate, easing muscle tension, and matching the body’s natural rest rhythms. Classical genres, soft piano, ambient guitar, and even instrumental jazz or lo-fi can all fall into this category. What matters most is that the music feels gentle, predictable, and soothing to the listener.
Natural Sounds
Since natural soundscapes have a calming effect on the brain by themselves, combining ambient or meditative music with elements like rainfall, ocean waves, or birdsong can create the sense of being in a restorative environment and deepen one’s sense of peace. For some, listening to recordings of rainstorms or forest walks can create a mental “reset,” reducing sensory overload and easing stress.
Apps and streaming platforms offer a wide range of listening options, and they’re often used in guided relaxation or meditation routines. To kick things up a notch, try searching your favorite streaming platform for binaural beats, subtle sound frequencies that influence brainwaves, which may enhance these effects even more. Some studies suggest binaural beats can increase theta waves associated with calm and relaxation, though more rigorous trials are still ongoing.
Personal Meaning
It’s time to crank up those old favorites, because research has shown that nostalgia can be a powerful trigger for happiness, relaxation, and even cognitive resilience. Whether it’s a wedding song, a tune from your teenage years, or a lullaby your parents used to sing, familiar music does more than spark warm feelings. It can strengthen emotional connections and help you recall joyful memories because listening to music activates the limbic system, the part of the brain responsible for memory and emotional processing. This helps release dopamine, lift your mood, and ease anxiety.
Studies have also shown that personally meaningful music can help preserve a sense of identity, especially for individuals navigating memory changes or cognitive decline. Creating a “memory playlist” that consists of songs tied to important life events is an easy and fun activity to incorporate into a broader mental wellness practice. Listening to such a playlist during your morning routine, while relaxing in the evening, or even while walking or stretching can become a source of emotional grounding over time. Think of it as a tool to center yourself, lift your spirits, and reconnect with your story.
For more information on how music can help those living with Parkinson’s, check out our Wellness Webcast Music Therapy for PD!
Getting a good night’s sleep is not an easy task when you have Parkinson’s. Why do we struggle with sleep, what is REM Behavior Disorder, and how do we navigate these challenges?
About the Presenter
Amy Amara, MD, PhD, Professor of Neurology and Movement Disorders Section Head at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, She has a broad range of clinical interests within Movement Disorders and Sleep Medicine, including non-pharmacological interventions such as exercise for sleep disorders and cognitive dysfunction in patients with Parkinson’s disease.
It was great seeing our friends and meeting new ones at the BGF Mix & Mingle gathering on Thursday, July 24, 2025. Living well means making connections. We’re looking forward to the next opportunity to see you all.
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Palliative care focuses on enhancing quality of life for those with incurable illnesses and their families. Management of non-motor symptoms, care-giver support, and advanced care planning are just a few of the levels of support needed for all people living with PD.
About the Presenter
Benzi M. Kluger, MD, MS, Founding Director of the Palliative Care Research Center and Neuropalliative Care Division at the University of Rochester Medical Center who has conducted multiple studies on palliative care and has seen its benefits first-hand among patients and their families.
It’s known that art therapy can improve one’s mood by creating a sense of community and aid in communication and self-expression. Research has shown that art therapy can do more to benefit Parkinson’s disease by improving overall visual-cognitive skills, visual exploration strategies, and general motor functions.
About the Presenter
Marygrace Berberian, a licensed and registered Art Therapist and licensed clinical social worker, is the Director of the Graduate Art Therapy Program at New York University. She has been actively involved in the Graduate Art Therapy Program as a Faculty Member, Internship Coordinator and Program Coordinator for over 20 years. Marygrace has more recently focused on the rehabilitative benefits of community-based art therapy for adults struggling with degenerative diseases and was awarded the Rawley Silver Research Award by the American Art Therapy Association.
