Who doesn’t like putting pjs on after a rough day at work, or on a cold Saturday or on a frosty cold evening? Mentally, putting on my pjs represents a change from facing the harsh outside world to relaxing in the comfort and warmth of my happy place, home. It is why I find myself asking, “Is it too early to slip into my jammies even when it is only 7 o’clock in the evening?” My answer is always, “Go for it!”
With all of the mayhem happening in the world today, I find people are searching for anything that brings comfort and a sense of security to all of us. The pandemic is frightening because it is truly a life verses death situation and there is really no sense of when it will stop and how many casualties there will be. Humans do not do well with the unknown. Many of our emotions are linked to the “what ifs” in our world. Sometimes they are little worries, such as what if my dinner party goes bust. However, other times our fears stem from real concerns, such as catching a virus that is fatal. Worrying serves a purpose because it often drives us to take action to protect ourselves. But, compulsive worrying takes a toll on our physical and mental well-being. This makes us ill which makes us worry more. Yikes, such a cycle. So what does this all have to do with pajamas?
Let me explain using Parkinson’s as illustration. Most of the signs of Parkinson’s are very visual. You tremor, you sway, you lose your balance, you fall, you take forever to get out of the car or up from a chair, speech becomes garbled, your blink response changes, your gait becomes shuffled and you looked fatigued. Yet, the internal symptoms of the disease are in some ways even more devastating because you feel like you are going crazy. Parkinson’s patients feel anxious, depressed, overwhelmed and just simply sad. For people with Parkinson’s, the pandemic impacts them in a very intense way. The uncertainty feels impossible to manage and they cannot find peace or joy in their life. This unease and insecurity make you more susceptible to getting sick. And the cycle continues…
When you feel uncertain, you seek out things that bring you comfort. You migrate to foods that are familiar which is why we call them, “comfort foods,” however restaurants are closed and grocery stores are limited. You spend time with friends and family who make you feel good about yourself, only now you cannot go because you are in quarantine. You go to places that are familiar and bring back memories of pleasant times, unless they are closed because of social distancing. So, the one thing you can still do is to wear clothes that are comfortable, soothing and make you want to relax. For me, I love to put on my cozy jammies. I have several pairs of pjs, soft cotton for summer, flannel for the winter and silky ones to put on after a nice bubble bath. They all give me a sense of relaxation and comfort. It may be a little gesture of relief in a very chaotic world, but it brings me some joy and comfort. Ahhh
So grab your favorite jammies and enjoy…..
