Skip to main content

Staying Active


Staying active with Essential Tremors is something I constantly preach to anyone who asks me how I cope with my tremors.  There will always be medication and doctors, but therapeutic options will in the end be healthier and often more lasting.  Growing up I was always active, but I never had true passion for fitness until recently. I can 100% attest to the fact that it has aided my everyday life when it comes to my ET.  It is proven that stress and anxiety are triggers for tremors so why not engage daily in activities to reduce these inevitable feelings? Engaging in regular exercise can improve your blood flow and circulation while reducing stress. 
I used to say that I come with a warning label, and I do not mean that to offend anyone.  I simply used to feel the need to explain myself to everyone. I have learned through life and experiences that the only person's opinion that matters are my own.
Thinking back to when I first walked into a gym to begin my current fitness journey, it was after a long day at a job I truly hated. I was stressed, tired and self-conscious.  I was shaking like a leaf.  Walking in I was bombarded by three overzealous salesmen, which did not help, and I knew walking in that I wasn't leaving without a membership (I knew what I wanted) but I felt the overwhelming need to explain why I was shaky.  Thinking back this conversation did lead to a great friendship, but I did not need to give them an explanation as to why I was shaking.  Now when I decide to explain myself, I make the conscious to out of wanting to educate not because I feel insecure or worried about their opinion.   
Since I am not in the majority due to my age and severity when it comes to those effected with ET, my current way of exercising is much different than what I recommend for the majority.  Low impact exercise, for instance walking, swimming, even biking or yoga/stretching are extremely beneficial.  You would however want to check with your physician or doctor before making the decision to begin any physical activity! As with any exercise program it’s important to begin slowly and have guidance. Overall, though I will always 100% recommend getting up and getting active to aid easing tremors and the side effects that accompany them!  

#stayactive #fitness #physicalactivity #getup #stayfit #essentialtremors #shakingupawareness #girlwithtremors #ET101 #reducestress #reduceanxiety #spreadawareness #loveyourbody #loveyourself #shakinglikealeaf ##gymtime #lowimpactexcercise

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Essential Tremors: Bodybuilding

M ore than 200,000 people are diagnosed with Essential Tremors each year. Essential Tremor, also known as ET, has no known cause yet is the most common movement disorder. ET is distinct from but often misdiagnosed as Parkinson’s disease, although some patients do have both conditions.  ET and Parkinson’s patients can both benefit positively by the integration of physical activity into their daily routines.     I recently came across a research study that studied the effects of strength training on individuals with Essential Tremors.  Their goal was to see if when ET patients incorporated just a seemingly minimal amount of training into their weekly routine, could it help their symptoms of essential tremor?’ These symptoms they defined as dexterity and reduction of their tremor . The exercises included bicep curls, wrists flex and wrist extensions.  All done with dumbbells and on both the most affected and least affected limb. Th...

Deep Brain Stimulation: Have you ever considered it?

Have you ever considered Deep Brain Stimulation? That question threw me for a loop this past week during my most recent Neurologist appointment.  I have been asked this question by a handful of people but I hadn’t paid much thought to it until this week Deep brain stimulation. DBS. Brain Surgery. Drilling into my brain.  “A Brain Pacemaker.” Neurostimulator. Neurosurgeon. Electrodes. Just a very small handful of the thoughts running through my brain over this past week. The definition of Deep Brain Stimulation is a neurosurgical procedure involving the placement of a medical device called a neurostimulator (often referred to as a brain pacemaker) which sends electrical impulses, through implanted electrodes, to a specific targets in the brain for the treatment of various movement disorders.  Heavy stuff, right? Average female in their mid/late twenties isn’t weighing the Pros and Cons of brain surgery.  But hey, I am definitely not someone ...

There's a difference.

Parkinson’s versus Essential Tremors: similar in some regards but extremely different.   I currently serve on the board for a local grassroots nonprofit here in Louisville--The Parkinson Support Center.   I highly recommend them if you need a resource for anything related to Parkinson’s.   The purpose of this blog will to be compare and contrast the two conditions.   I often find that when individuals begin to tremor, especially at the typical onset age, it is very easy to jump to the conclusion one has Parkinson’s Disease.   It is important to remember that every case is different, there is no hard and fast rule.   Once you notice any tremor at all you should go see your primary care physician who should then refer to a neurologist, preferably one who specializes in movement disorders.   I always recommend a second and third opinion, if possible.   Essential Tremor Parkinson’s Disease         ...