As the Snow Falls, Our Anxieties Melt Away

A fire in the fireplace snaps, crackles, and pops as it warms my toes and casts dancing shadows on the walls. Nearby, a cup of spiced tea sits on the table beside me, filling the room with a fragrant aroma of cinnamon and other magical, tantalizing odors. Fresh baked shortbread cookies call to me as my friend and I sit and watch the snow fall around us through her picture window.

From the gray clouds above, it falls oh so softly as it brings a mesmerizing quiet to the world that surrounds us. Snow clouds can carry a heavy weight and bring darkening skies. Yet, when they release their snowflakes, all the world seems to stop and take notice. A soft, peaceful quiet brings a sense of calmness to the chaos.

Who hasn’t stood captivated by snow falling gently down from the clouds? Who hasn’t stood with their mouth open wide to catch as many snowflakes as they can with the tip of their tongue?

There is something quite magical about snow. 

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Having a chronic disease can feel as though your life is in turmoil and out of control. You can’t just head out the door and run to the store like you used to. If you drive yourself, you must stop and make sure you are current on your medications. 

There is nothing more frustrating than having a traffic jam behind you in the checkout line because you can’t move your fingers fast enough to get money out of your wallet. 

While the line piles up behind you, you are certain you can hear the endless sighs from those who are crowding into that 6-foot space you are trying to maintain for social distancing.

And now you feel guilty for the holdup. If you had just remembered your meds …

Or maybe you didn’t forget your medications. There are about 101 situations like the one above (or worse) that can lead to becoming flustered and anxious while living out this journey with Parkinson’s disease.

It is in those moments you so desperately wish you were at home, sitting in front of a big picture window, watching the snow fall, and listening to the fire crackle.

So peaceful. So quiet. So calming.

It is so important when you are living with a chronic illness of any sort to have a place of refuge. A place where you can sip a warm cup of tea or cocoa. A place where you can escape from the chaos and the clamor of this world, even if it is just closing your eyes, taking a deep breath, exhaling, and thinking about the things that make you happy. 

It’s also important to have a good companion (dogs are included here) who will listen to you and not judge you or tell you it’s all in your head.

Do you have a good book you can curl up with? Is there some soft music you enjoy that helps you to relax? A friend who will come sit and watch a movie with you?

Life is hard enough without stirring an illness into the mess. Enjoy the snowfalls and the pitter-patter of rain on the roof, the tea times with friends, a good book, some calming music. You need it. We all do.

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Note: Parkinson’s News Today is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Parkinson’s News Today or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to Parkinson’s disease.