For those living with Parkinson’s, stress can temporarily worsen symptoms of the disease — not just how you feel them but the actual symptoms themselves.
The good news is that there are ways to manage stress, and learning how it affects Parkinson’s can make a real difference in your everyday life.
The Connection Between Stress and PD Symptoms
Rachel Dolhun, MD, DipABLM, movement disorder specialist, lifestyle medicine physician and principal medical advisor at The Michael J. Fox Foundation, explains how stress affects the body and shares practical strategies for finding relief.
Tips for Managing the Impact of Stress on Parkinson’s
When stress levels rise, the body’s “fight-or-flight" response can amplify symptoms and make daily management feel more difficult. Here’s what the science — and lived experience — tell us:
- Stress can intensify motor symptoms. Many people notice that tremor, stiffness, slowness or balance issues become more pronounced when their stress levels rise.
- Stress can impact mood. Stress can contribute to feelings of depression and anxiety and make it harder to concentrate and think clearly.
- Stress can affect sleep. Tremor, stiffness and freezing can make it difficult to get a good night’s rest.
- Stress may affect medications. Some people experience earlier or stronger “off” periods, meaning their medications may not last as long or feel as effective during stressful moments.
- Stress can speed up symptom progression. Chronic stress keeps the nervous system in a heightened state. Over long periods, this can worsen inflammation and strain the brain — potentially contributing to certain symptoms getting more intense over time.
To help reduce the impact of stress on Parkinson’s, consider the following strategies:
- Physical activity can help reset your nervous system. Both low-impact (think yoga or walking) and high-intensity exercise, such as boxing or strength training, help lower stress hormones and boost brain chemicals that support movement and mood.
- Talk therapy or medication can support emotional wellbeing. Working with a mental health professional or taking medication for anxiety or depression, often associated with stress, can be beneficial.
- Mindfulness practices build stress resilience. Breathing exercises and meditation can help calm the brain and body, providing a sense of control during stressful moments.
- Strong relationships can buffer stress. Positive and meaningful relationships with friends, family and others in the community can reduce loneliness and isolation — which are major drivers of stress.
Most importantly — do not hesitate to talk to your doctor about your stress and ask for ways to help manage its impact.
Strategies for Managing Stress
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Ways to Manage the Strain
In this webinar, our panel of experts share strategies for responding to stress and limiting its potentially harmful effects.
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Our Guide to Stress Management
Explore six expert-backed tips for managing stress with Parkinson’s disease and learn how to lessen stress and manage tense situations.
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Mindfulness and Meditation
Medical experts and people living with Parkinson's explain how mindfulness and meditation can improve some Parkinson’s symptoms.
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