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Parkinson ’ s fatigue is different than feeling tired from time to time . Breaks or naps may not help . It can take longer to do things and you might tire from previously easy tasks , like getting dressed or making a sandwich . Fatigue can make exercise seem impossible . But regular exercise , along with getting the best sleep you can , staying hydrated and eating well , can ease fatigue and increase energy .
Strategies
+ Be picky . Which exercise is most important to meeting your goals ? Prioritize that . Do it when you have the most energy and earlier in the day or week , so you don ’ t miss it .
+ Save your stamina . Tailor the type and amount of exercise to how much energy you have . If energy is low , cut back temporarily . For example , try 15 to 20 minutes of aerobic exercise three days a week instead of 30 minutes five days a week . See if that helps and then gradually build back up .
+ “ Snack ” on exercise . Do short bits of exercise — 30 seconds to five minutes — throughout the day . Whenever you ’ ve got a break , sit and stand a couple times , climb a flight of stairs , walk around your living room or throw a few boxing punches . Bring more movement into everyday activities — stretch during TV commercials , walk while talking on the telephone or listening to a podcast , or stand from your couch or desk once an hour .
Low blood pressure : “ I feel dizzy or lightheaded when moving .”
Low blood pressure , or orthostatic hypotension , can happen in Parkinson ’ s , because of the disease or medications to treat it . Orthostatic hypotension is a persistent drop in blood pressure when changing
“ Before I was diagnosed , I didn ’ t do a lot of exercise . I sat at a desk for hours and hours . One of my first symptoms with PD was extreme fatigue — I never imagined someone could feel that amount of fatigue ! My doctor recommended seeing a physical therapist , who suggested walking to build strength in my legs . I took to that the most . I bought a Fitbit and set goals to increase my steps . I notice a drastic difference in how I feel today versus a few years ago . I don ’ t need the Fitbit anymore . I watch when my symptoms seem to come on — I might have more imbalance in the evenings — and I manage my day based on my symptoms . I also have two young grandchildren who provide all the activity I need !”
Sandra Coplin
What if Life or Parkinson ’ s Gets in the Way ?