Mindfulness toolkit: maintaining your mental health during lockdown

The coronavirus pandemic is affecting everyday life around the world and, in a time of uncertainty, maintaining wellbeing is more important than ever. Here we reshare our story about ‘Mindfulness for Parkinson’s’, a free online toolkit launched in 2018 by charity Parkinson’s UK to help people with Parkinson’s look after their mental health

Parkinson’s UK has developed a free online resource to help people with Parkinson’s who experience mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety.

The toolkit – named ‘Mindfulness for Parkinson’s’ – includes a variety of articles, short videos and audio sessions developed by medical professionals for people with the condition.

Research suggests that approximately a third of people living with Parkinson’s experience a form of mental illness. However, only a quarter of those are currently receiving treatment for symptoms.

Mental health symptoms can be triggered by changes that take place in the brains of people living with Parkinson’s – or by the stress that the condition causes.

Rachel Jones, senior content editor at Parkinson’s UK, says: “This free online resource is designed to give people with Parkinson’s – no matter what stage – a practical way to gain better control over their thoughts and emotions and enhance their overall wellbeing.”

In this four-minute video, Sue Newsham, a Parkinson’s UK volunteer co-ordinator and independent health and wellness coach, leads a session helping people with Parkinson’s achieve a sense of mindfulness.

To access the free ‘Mindfulness for Parkinson’s’ toolkit, click here.

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