7 Daily Habits to Help You Manage Tardive Dyskinesia

Certain small daily habits can help you feel more in control of your symptoms when you pair them with medical treatment, says Razan Hallak, MD, a neurologist and movement disorder fellow at Virginia Commonwealth University’s Parkinson’s and Movement Disorders Center in Richmond.

Your symptom intensity may change from day to day, says Saar Anis, MD, a neurologist specializing in movement disorders at Cleveland Clinic in Ohio. “Stress, fatigue, lack of sleep, hunger, and other physical or emotional stressors can make abnormal movements more noticeable,” he says.

Because of that, Dr. Anis encourages his patients to focus on the things they can control. “These habits are not a treatment for TD itself, but they may help reduce some of the factors that can amplify the movements and, importantly, support overall health,” says Anis.

Here are seven healthy habits to consider including in your routine.

1. Do a Movement Check-In Once a Day

Limit yourself to checking in on symptoms once a day, max, says Dr. Hallak. “Frequent checking can be stressful and can increase anxiety, which by itself will make movements worse.”

This check-in can be as simple as a quick note on your phone, says Anis. “An occasional short video can also be very useful, particularly because movements may look different at home than they do during a clinic visit.”

Record movement details, locations, and patterns instead of asking, “Is my TD better or worse today?” says Anis. “Ask yourself whether something has changed in your ability to eat, speak, walk, work, sleep, socialize, or participate in activities that matter to you.”

2. De-Stress With Mindfulness

Our experts also recommend these stress-relieving activities:

• Go for a walk.
• Listen to music.
• Spend time with family or friends.
• Take a quick break from work or chores.

Pick stress-reducing activities you enjoy and can do daily. “The best stress-management technique is often the one that someone will actually use consistently,” says Anis.

3. Eat Balanced Meals and Stay Hydrated

• Whole grains
• Lean protein
• Fruits and vegetables

You may notice your movements get worse with stimulants like caffeine, so limit your intake, especially close to bedtime, says Hallak. She also recommends avoiding alcohol and recreational drugs, as they also affect the part of the nervous system that regulates dopamine (dopaminergic system) and is negatively affected in TD; using such substances can worsen movements and interfere with treatment.

4. Set a Sleep Schedule

5. Take Your Medications on a Schedule

Some drugs can cause side effects, but don’t stop taking any medication without talking to your provider first, says Hallak.

6. Add Activity to Your Routine

“I generally recommend regular physical activity that is safe, enjoyable, and sustainable,” says Anis. “You don’t have to follow an elaborate exercise program.”

Our experts suggest these options:

• Walking
• Swimming
• Stretching
• Yoga

7. Make a Plan Each Day

For example, if you have a doctor’s visit at 11 a.m., start getting ready as soon as you wake up so you don’t feel rushed. Plan on getting to the office or clinic early so you can take your time with travel and handle any delays with less stress.

How to Build a Routine That Sticks

• Start small. “Trying to change sleep, exercise, diet, hydration, stress management, and medication routines all at once is difficult for anyone,” says Anis. Instead, pick one or two, then add more when you’re ready.
• Pair tasks. Try to connect a new habit with an existing one to help you remember it, says Hallak. For example, list symptoms in your journal after you brush your teeth.
• Add visibility. “Try to put items in visible and nearby places, such as a water bottle near the couch that you sit on, or walking shoes near the door,” says Hallak. These visual cues can help you remember a new habit.
• Swap habits. Try to replace an unhealthy habit with one of your new habits. For example, instead of drinking a sugary soda to stave off your afternoon slump, take a quick walk.
• Recruit support. “Having a good support system of family, friends, and caregivers can also make healthy habits easier to sustain,” says Hallak.

The goal isn’t perfection, says Anis. “Missing a day does not mean the routine failed. Just return to it the next day.”