Whatever our age, we tend to gather around shared interests and activities like exercise, the arts, or coffee with friends. Belonging to a group can help reduce stress, enhance mood, and promote meaning and purpose. Therefore, groups also form around common struggles, like Parkinson’s disease.
These great feelings stem from the way we interact when we gather. We tell stories, laugh, sing, dance, encourage and work out together. We celebrate achievements and console those who may be sad. This behavior comes naturally in every culture.
It’s so fun to see our fighters come back to our boxing classes. You can see the delight of recognition and welcoming smiles from familiar faces. They report feeling loved, accepted, and invigorated again. Many say their symptoms improved the first day back.
Laughter is one of the most contagious, universal, and instinctive connections. It triggers an endorphin release, so when we share laughter, we feel happier, more at ease and familiar with those around us.
Ever notice we rarely laugh alone? Even when we see something funny on the internet, we immediately want to share it with someone so we can share the laughter. In our virtual or gym classes, when one of our fighters laughs out loud, others smile and laugh along.
If you’re feeling lonely, one of the best ways to make friends is to join our singing, dancing, drumming, or exercise classes.
We were able to cultivate friendships virtually through our Parkinson’s exercise classes and happy hours by inviting people to talk, sing, laugh, and share stories.
Our coaches said they felt love and connection from teaching our fighters even when physical touch wasn’t an option during the pandemic.
We are truly social beings. Being isolated has shown to be devastating to our physical, emotional, and mental health. We are meant to connect with others.
If you haven’t already, take one step each day to reconnect with your prior life, social groups, and friends.
We love you and we want to hear from you. Join the gang!
💜 Coach Kimberly