Seven Things Parkinson’s Allied Health Professionals Want You to Build into Your Daily Routine

Specialist Occupational Therapist Clare Johnson and Physiotherapist Sasha Baggaley (MCSP, HCPC), who also works with SYMBYX as a clinician joined our webinar to share what they know works. Here's the full picture, without the fluff. 

Medication remains a cornerstone of Parkinson’s care. When medication is working effectively, many other aspects of daily life may feel more manageable. 

Movement may feel easier, motivation may show improvement and one’s energy may also feel more stable. 

One practical strategy shared during the webinar was to schedule demanding activities during medication “on” periods, when symptoms are better controlled. This might include exercise, errands, or tasks that require greater coordination or concentration. 

“Positive movement experiences during these peak windows may help support more consistent movement patterns and muscle memory over time,” Sasha explained. 

She also highlighted that when medication effects begin to wear off, the focus may shift from stopping activity to adapting it. Lower-risk options such as a stationary bike, seated exercise, or gentle stretching can help maintain movement while supporting balance and safety. 

2. Exercise: Movement Doesn’t Have to Look Like the Gym 

One of the most empowering messages from the session was that exercise does not need to be formal or intense to be beneficial. 

During the webinar, Clare and Sasha emphasised that consistency and enjoyment are key — choosing something that feels achievable may make it easier to stick with over time. 

Start the Day with a Body Wake-Up Routine 

Clare recommends beginning the day with a simple stretch routine before getting caught up in daily tasks. 

“A key focus is upper limb extension — movements that open the body outwards rather than allowing it to curl forward,” Clare explained. “Stretching from the shoulders through to the fingertips may help counteract stiffness and support posture.” 

She also noted that repeating this routine at different points throughout the day may help support ongoing mobility. 

High Effort Without Leaving Your Seat 

During the webinar, Sasha demonstrated a powerful example of how exercise can combine physical effort with cognitive challenge. 

Try this simple exercise: 

“It might sound simple, but it creates high physical effort and cognitive load at the same time. This type of activity may help encourage the brain and body to work together,” Sasha explained. 

And the most important rule of all? 

Find something you genuinely enjoy. The exercise you look forward to is the exercise that will become part of your routine. 

Another important insight shared during the webinar was how the Parkinson’s brain processes tasks. Large, overwhelming tasks can be difficult to initiate. Breaking them into steps can help make them far more manageable. 

Clare summarised this approach using a simple framework: 

Plan → Sequence → Organise → Do 

For people who are working, this has practical implications. 

Instead of immediately opening emails or jumping into tasks, begin the day by planning your schedule. Map out priorities, build in rest periods, and structure your workload intentionally. Rest breaks are often treated as optional, however, building them into your day may help make a noticeable difference.  

In many cases, a longer day with built-in rest periods may be more sustainable than pushing through a shorter, continuous schedule. 

Fatigue is one of the most reported challenges in Parkinson’s. But one of the webinar’s most memorable points was that true rest is often misunderstood. 

As Sasha emphasised, “Simply sitting in a chair does not fully rest the body. The spine is still supporting weight, and muscles remain active.” She added, “True rest is horizontal — ten minutes of lying flat can genuinely help de-load the body.” 

That might involve lying flat on a bed, reclining fully on a sofa, or resting on a mat on the floor for 10 minutes. 

“People with Parkinson’s are similar to elite athletes — the brain and body are working hard all day, and like elite athletes, rest needs to be deliberate,” Sasha explained. 

Restorative Breaks That Actually Help 

Clare and Sasha shared several strategies that can restore energy during the day: 

Clare also highlighted the value of humour, noting that “watching a good comedy program for half an hour” can be beneficial too. 

Breathing techniques recommended by Clare 

Clare recommends simple breathing techniques that can help regulate the nervous system and bring a sense of calm when symptoms feel overwhelming. 

5. Mental Exercise Matters Too 

Physical movement is essential, but mental stimulation plays an equally important role. 

“Obviously, if you’re working, that’s cognitive exercise enough, so we don’t want to overload. But if you’re not working, then yes, definitely… keeping your brain as active as possible is definitely important,” Clare explains. 

Examples include: 

Interestingly, many upper limb exercises also double as cognitive tasks, because they require coordination, attention, and sequencing. 

One webinar attendee shared that regular Sudoku and crossword puzzles made a noticeable difference to their daily thinking and focus. 

Falls and setbacks can happen. When they do, confidence often takes a significant knock. 

Clare emphasised the importance of addressing not only the physical response but also the thought patterns that follow. 

Her strategy, grounded in cognitive behavioural therapy principles, involves a simple sequence: 

Stop → Think → Plan → Do 

As Clare explained, “when we feel anxious, the Parkinson’s brain needs to deal with that, and not with what they’re doing at the time… so if you’re struggling, stop what you’re doing and breathe.” 

She also emphasised that symptoms can vary from day to day: 
“You cannot do something one day that you did yesterday fine. Today is a real struggle… and people think their Parkinson’s is getting worse, when actually it’s not.” 

Clare noted that factors such as fatigue, stress, or multitasking may also contribute to these fluctuations. 

The final takeaway from the webinar may be the most powerful of all. 

Social connection is not just enjoyable — research suggests it may play an important role in supporting wellbeing and aspects of cognitive health in people living with Parkinson’s. (1) 
 
Conversely, the research also suggests that social isolation has been associated with poorer health outcomes and may contribute to increased risk of cognitive decline in Parkinson’s populations. (1) 

For many people with Parkinson’s, community can take many forms: 

Joining a group for the first time can feel daunting. 

But as Sasha noted during the session, almost everyone who tries it says the same thing afterwards: They’re glad they did. 

Her personal rule is simple. Have at least one thing every week that you genuinely look forward to. 

It doesn’t have to be big. Coffee with a friend counts. So does a video call with family. 

What matters is having something in the calendar that brings connection and joy. 

The Takeaway: Parkinson’s Care Is a System 

Medication. Movement. Rest. Mental stimulation. Community. 

None of these element’s work in isolation. But when they are intentionally built into a routine, they can support a more sustainable approach to living with Parkinson’s. 

An integrative approach doesn’t mean adding more pressure to your day. It means designing a routine where each part supports the others. Small adjustments, repeated consistently, can make a meaningful difference. 

Disclaimer: This blog is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The information presented is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The information provided is intended to be a general resource. Always seek the advice of your qualified healthcare provider for any medical concerns. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of information presented in this Blog. SYMBYX is not liable for any actions or omissions taken based on the information presented in this content.