Essential Skills for Managing Adult ADD - Part 1: Practicing Excellent Self-Care

As an adult with ADD and an ADD Coach, I have observed some
skills that I believe are essential for successful ADD
management. The first of these skills is: Practice
Excellent Self-Care. There are many components of self-care
that one must pay attention to. Sleep, nutrition, and
exercise are what immediately come to mind, but having a
good doctor, scheduling in regular "down time," and finding
outlets for self-expression are all import aspects of
self-care, too.

The Basics
On average, do you get the sleep, nutrients, and exercise
that your body requires? Sometimes, too little sleep can
make you sluggish, but too much sleep can make you groggy.
Excess sugar and caffeine can make you moody and speedy.
And too little or too much exercise may leave you feeling
tired. It's difficult for most Americans (with and without
ADD) to balance proper sleep, nutrition, and exercise at all
times, but most people agree that the more time they spend
paying attention to healthy habits, the better they feel.

Medical Care
Some people choose to take ADD medication, and some people
don't. This aspect of self-care isn't about medication.
It's about your doctors - from your general practitioner to
your dentist! Do you like your doctors? Do you feel at
ease with them? Do you feel comfortable asking questions?
Doctors are experts in human care, and in order to practice
good self-care, you must have some great doctors on your
side. This doesn't always come easy. It can take some time
to find a doctor with whom you are comfortable, but it's
worth the effort. You are worth the effort.

Mental Care: The Most Important Part
By now you may be thinking that while all of the above
aspects of self-care seem like common sense, they are a lot
easier said than done. This is absolutely true for most
people with ADD. When you live life feeling chronically
overwhelmed, it's very difficult to find the time to put
these ideas into action. Here's what you can do to set
yourself up for success: take time out. Schedule in "down
time" every single day to help keep your batteries charged.
Retreat from the chaos of daily life and allow yourself time
to relax - alone. Even if you spend only five minutes a day
meditating, walking, or just sitting quietly, it will allow
you to slow your thoughts and will help you center yourself.
Then, when you feel centered, take it a step further and
express yourself! Write, paint, sing, talk to your plants,
or do whatever it is that allows you to express your
feelings and emotions! Keeping your feelings and emotions
bottled will weigh you down. Finding healthy ways of
self-expression will help free your mind and allow you to
spend more energy focusing on the other aspects of
self-care.

When you practice excellent self-care, you allow yourself to
function at an optimal level. When you operate on an
optimal level, you'll find yourself less overwhelmed, and
more prepared to deal with your ADD challenges, as well as
the stresses of every day life. Excellent self-care is an
essential skill for adult ADD management.

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