Our top ten tips to enjoy the holidays

  1. Stay hydrated: Stay out of the heat if you can and drink plenty of water to help better manage symptoms and any medication side effects.
  2. Plan ahead: Organise your schedule and activities to avoid stress, and make sure you pencil in some periods of rest time.
  3. Medication management: Keep your medication schedule consistent, even if travelling or changing time zones.
  4. Eat mindfully: Focus while you are chewing to avoid choking and ensure proper nutrition.
  5. Don’t overdo it: While it’s nice to have so much on during the holidays, pace yourself and take breaks to avoid fatigue.
  6. Keep moving: Continue your exercise routine to maintain your strength and balance.
  7. Seek support: Ask for help from neighbours, family, friends, or caregivers. If you are feeling like you need to talk to someone, call Lifeline 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636. If you require urgent and immediate assistance dial 000.
  8. Stay connected: The holidays are a great opportunity for you to engage with your support network for advice and share experiences. Check in on others.
  9. Be flexible: Adjust plans as needed and communicate your needs to loved ones.
  10. Enjoy the moment: Focus on the joy of the holidays and cherish this time with your friends, colleagues and loved ones.

Paula’s* Parkinson’s Xmas ultimate gift guide

  1. Make a donation. Wouldn’t it be nice to find a cure for Parkinson’s this Christmas? Consider donating to a not-for-profit PD org.

  2. A real potted tree. Stays alive throughout the year & doesn’t require assembly. Decorate with your favourite tinsel, or I love beach shells for our summer Xmas!

  3. A cooling blanket for hot summer Aussie nights! Environmentally conscientious & great for those who suffer from dysregulation of temperature as a non-motor symptom of PD.
  4. A beauty voucher. A hair wash & blowout, massage, facial, lashes, brows or mani-pedi! Shaky hands make it impossible to do your nails or wash blow dry your hair.
  5. Stick or bullet smoothie blender. I love a healthy smoothie to kickstart my day & great to have when I need to take multitudes of meds with food! Just remember to avoid protein 30 mins before and after levodopa.
  6. Coffee voucher at my favourite cafe! Caffeine has proven to have neuro-protective properties & is vital to kickstart my day with the sleep issues that come with PD!

  7. A gift of a fun class or experience. Paint ‘n’ sip, wine tasting, life drawing, golf lesson, cooking class, art therapy, guided walks, Tai Chi or yoga class. Socialisation & connection is as important as exercise to living well with Parkinson’s.

  8. Self care & Assistive Technology (AT) upgrades. An electric toothbrush and easy toothpaste dispenser helps with these daily dental tasks. Simplify other self-care tasks with an electric razor for men and women. AT for PD, like the new Beech Band, a Kindle, AirPods, fancy pillbox or helpful apps!

  9. Seeing your loved ones in-person. For the one who loves seeing their loved ones can be the best gift of all! PWPD are often lonely & can become isolated avoiding busy social situations, especially during the festive season!

  10. Delicious healthy food. For the one who loves good food, a failsafe gift would be to schedule a meal delivery, get a voucher from a local restaurant or buy a fresh fruit hamper. Maintaining good nutrition and enjoyment of food can be difficult with PD. 

We hope these tips & gift ideas help you have a wonderful and safe holiday season! 🎄✨

*Paula has been living with YOPD for over 30 years and is on the YOP National Working Group. She will also be speaking at the Parkinson’s Australia National Conference. 

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