Parkinson’s and Positivity: How Optimism Builds Resilience - Parkinson's Awareness Week 3 - Live Parkinson's - Live an Exceptional Life!

Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:01):
Hello and welcome back to Live Parkinson's Live an
Exceptional Life.
I'm your host, chrisKustenbotter, and this is week
three of our Parkinson'sAwareness Month series short,
actionable episodes designed tohelp you live a more empowered,

(00:23):
joyful and healthier life withParkinson's.
So far, we've talked about twopowerful tools exercise and
nutrition.
If you haven't listened tothose yet, be sure to check them
out.
Today we're focusing on ourthird strategy, one that's often
overlooked, but absolutelylife-changing optimism and

(00:43):
positivity.
Looked, but absolutelylife-changing Optimism and
positivity.
Let's be real Getting aParkinson's diagnosis can feel
overwhelming.
It's easy to get stuck in fear,frustration or grief, and that's
normal.
But staying there that can holdyou back from the life that you
can live.
Here's the truth.
Your mindset can either limityou or lift you, and science

(01:07):
backs it up.
Research shows that people whomaintain a positive outlook tend
to have better physical health,lower stress, improved immune
function and, yes, even a slowerprogression of chronic illness.
But here's the key Optimismisn't just pretending
everything's perfect.
It's choosing to focus onwhat's possible, even when the

(01:29):
things get hard.
So how do you build that kindof mindset?
Let's break it down.
First, start with gratitude.
A daily gratitude practicerewires your brain.
It literally shifts your focusfrom what's missing to what's
working.
So try this Every morning orevening.
Write down three things you'regrateful for, no matter how

(01:52):
small it could be a warm cup ofcoffee, a good laugh, time spent
with friends or family butgratitude is going to make you
more resilient.
Next, surround yourself withpositivity.
Who you spend time with shapeshow you feel.
Spend more time with people wholift you up, not draining you.

(02:13):
I like to hang around peoplethat are positive and try to
avoid people that are negative,because they tend to bring you
down.
That could be a support group,a friend who listens, or even an
online community like ours atliveparkinsonscom.
You can also curate what youconsume.
Choose uplifting podcasts,books, tv shows or movies that

(02:39):
feed your spirit instead of fear.
Next, reframe your thoughts.
Instead of saying I can't dowhat I used to do, try I'm
learning how to do thingsdifferently and yet I'm still
enjoying my life.
Instead of, this disease istaking everything, say I'm still

(03:00):
here, I still have value and Istill have a purpose, and I'm
going to help others in the samesituation as myself.
It's not toxic positivity.
It's choosing thoughts thatgive you power.
Next, celebrate small wins.
With Parkinson's, progressoften looks like small victories

(03:21):
Getting through your day withless fatigue, remembering to
take your meds, making it toyour physical therapy session.
Celebrate all those things.
Every step forward counts andremember you're going to have
some days where it's two stepsforward and three steps back,
and that's okay, but justremember every forward step

(03:43):
counts and gets you to the bestlife that you can have.
Now let me share somethingpersonal.
When I was first diagnosed, Ihad a choice.
I can dwell on what I'd lost orfocus on what I could still do.
It wasn't easy, but over time Irealized I'm more than this
diagnosis.

(04:03):
I'm still a father, a husbandand a friend.
I can still fly fish, playguitar, help others and live
with purpose.
Optimism didn't cure me, butoptimism did save me.
It helped me realize that Icould live the life that I
wanted to live and still helpother people as well.

(04:27):
Now there's a simple dailypractice for positivity, and
here's something you can doright now.
Every morning, ask yourselfwhat's one thing I'm looking
forward to today.
It might be a walk, it might bea favorite meal.
Maybe you're expecting a phonecall from one of your children
or a friend.

(04:47):
Let that guide your day.
And every evening ask what'sone thing I did well today?
It could be you attended agroup exercise class.
It could be you smiled a lotduring the day.
It could be you rested well.

(05:08):
And it could be you chose to becourageous and tried something
new.
These questions build emotionalstrength over time.
So here's your week threereminder.
Optimism and positivity are notluxuries.
They're essential tools forliving well with Parkinson's and
they're available to you rightnow.
Next week we'll wrap up ourseries with another key pillar

(05:29):
social connection and community,because we're never meant to
walk this journey alone.
But before you go, let's takeaction.
Visit libparkinsonscom tosubscribe to our free monthly
newsletter and then downloadyour copy of Building your
Parkinson's Care Team ResourceGuide and Workbook.
It's a great way to help youbuild your care team and make

(05:51):
sure that you're getting thebest care possible.
And if this podcast is helpingyou, consider supporting it at
ko-ficom.
Slash liveparkinsons.
Now remember you're not justsurviving.
You're learning, growing andliving an exceptional life with
Parkinson's.
Remember, keep going.
You've got this.
Thanks for joining me today.

(06:14):
Stay grateful, stay hopeful andremember you're not alone and
your best life is stillunfolding.
See you next week.

All Episodes

Parkinson’s and Positivity: How Optimism Builds Resilience - Parkinson's Awareness Week 3

Episode Transcript

Popular Podcasts

On Purpose with Jay Shetty

Crime Junkie

Ridiculous History

.css-15opob5{left:0;position:absolute;top:0.8rem;} All Episodes

.css-14f5ked{margin:0;word-break:break-word;display:-webkit-box;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;box-orient:vertical;-webkit-line-clamp:2;overflow:hidden;}Parkinson’s and Positivity: How Optimism Builds Resilience - Parkinson's Awareness Week 3