Before I begin let’s understand the definition of Exercise.
Exercise : Noun, an activity requiring physical effort, carried out to sustain health and fitness.
So by that definition a Parkie just living an active life, is actually doing Exercise?
Once again I believe every exercise involves four components:
1: Physical
2: Visual
3:Mental
4: Oral
If you are not using these four components in an exercise, then that particular exercise is limiting your over all improvement.
I know that is pushing it. However doesn’t every movement we make, no matter how small, require physical effort on our part? Many times we must use our brain to devise a plan of attack, to initiate a movement. We must focus using different sight lines to help us in our movements. Usually these movements require some form of uttered grunt while the movement is being engaged.
Therefore the more we engage in life, the more we will improve our overall well being.
Being actively engaged in life is EXERCISE!
Let me describe my morning exercise rituals.
Quick brisk Penguin like shuffle to the bathroom for inner body cleansing.
20 minute soak in bath tub. I have an Aeration Tub with around 70 jets bubbling and massaging my body.
Morning stretch. Involves drying hard to get at wet areas with my towel.
Followed up with lower back stretches trying to put my socks and under wear on.
I now prepare the more elaborate hand eye drills . Eating Breakfast and the morning chase the spoon ritual!
However there is also one constant that I use every morning as well and that is MUSIC!
I listen to several songs almost religiously every morning.
These songs help in preparing me to face the daily challenge of living with Parkinson’s.
Their beat and tempo get my body swaying, My wife and I have taken years of Ballroom dancing and at times we dance around the kitchen.
The lyrics are all upbeat putting positive thoughts into that wonderful brain of mine.
And much to the chagrin of anybody nearby there are times I belt out in song .
So let music work for you!
Find out what makes you tap your toe. What gets you moving. After all your Parkie body is gonna move anyway, so make it move to the beat you want it to.
Make your life one that gets you singing and dancing!
By the way My songs are as follows:
Always look on the bright side of Life
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_-q9xeOgG4
Accentuate the positive
In spite of Ourselves
That’s the way the world goes round
We’re Gonna make it
That’s Life
S.O.B.
Dance with me tonight
Lean on Me
Parkinsons - My Super Power 