July 13, 2018

Greetings My Friend,

I am finding I need to make a choice between being active or writing. My energy level has decreased from a year ago. I am not able to keep up with what I did a year ago so I must make a choice between sitting and writing or keeping my body active. I have learned with Parkinson's that the more active I am the more I am able to ward off pain, muscle cramps, muscle tightness and such. I strive to be on my feet walking, moving for several hours a day. I do hand, arm and shoulder exercises in my comfy chair, I also do neck exercises that helps me with my balance problems. I strive to be on my feet moving about for several hours a day which helps ward off a lot of stiffness. I am averaging an hour to an hour and 20 minutes of walking each week which helps my legs not to be restless at night. Sometimes I cannot walk or be on my feet enough so at night I struggle with restless legs. I have started looking up some leg exercises to do when the weather does not permit me to walk out side. I will begin to add leg  to my list of exercises soon. When I am not on my feet using my legs, I find I have spasms in the night so if I add the leg exercises I pray I won't get the restless legs. By being active and doing exercises, I have very little pain, restless legs. I find quiet time with the Lord helps me to learn how to manage my chronic illness. This year my energy level is less than it was last year so I find myself making choices, should I write or should I be more active? I choose to be more active. Being more active means I may not be able to put my posts out as often as I have in the past, I will write when I am able to, share my faith journey, my journey with Parkinson's. This year instead of dehydrating most of the fruits and vegetables I am freezing and dehydrating, this way I am able to put food up for the winter and not work as hard. We will still eat more food from God's creation and less processed. I love eating more wholesome foods, I believe that also helps me be stronger and healthier. I am taking longer afternoon naps so again I am attempting to balance my day to day life. By taking care of my life I believe my quality of life will allow me to enjoy my life more fully. May God bless you and keep you make His face shine on you. Love Janet