After you read this article on self-care, scroll down for a new podcast on mental health with Dr. Charles Parker!
Self-care for Adults with ADD: Put on Your Oxygen Mask
 Hi Friend,
Happy New Year! January is a time of renewal for many of us. We like to make a fresh start and think we can take on the world! But many of us forget a very important element in ADD management, and life in general: we forget about the importance of self-care.
Take a moment to think about what happens when you get on an airplane. Before the plane takes off, the flight attendants outline safety procedures and inform you that, should the oxygen masks drop down, you must put yours on before you help anyone else. Why? Because you can't be of help to anyone if you're not breathing! This is an excellent metaphor for self-care.
Many adults with ADD (and parents of ADD kids) skimp on their own self-care. It's not easy to balance the many demands of family, career, health, friends, and personal interests. Add ADD to that mix and you can get some very overwhelmed and overworked people who sacrifice their own self-care in order to take care of everyone else -- and everything else -- around them!
I'm here to tell you to never feel guilty for putting on your oxygen mask and practicing self-care! When you take care of yourself, you function at a higher level. When you function at a higher level, you find yourself less overwhelmed and more prepared to deal with your ADD challenges, as well as the stresses of everyday life.
And when you are able to better manage and balance all the aspects of your life, there is much more ‘quality you' available to the people around you.
There are a number of things you can do to improve your self-care. Here are a couple that I think are particularly important:
1. The Basics
Are you getting the sleep, nutrients, and exercise that your body requires? 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 not easy for anyone (with or without ADD) to balance proper sleep, nutrition, and exercise at all times, but the more you more you pay attention to healthy habits, the better you'll feel.
2. 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? 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.
3. Mental Care
Here's a sure-fire way to reduce stress and 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. 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 get centered.
Then, when you feel centered, take it a step further and express yourself! Journal, paint, sing, talk to your plants, or do whatever it is that allows you to express your feelings and emotions. 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.
Self-care is one of those things that you can always improve on. And the good news is that small steps will make a big difference! So the next time you find yourself cutting corners on your self-care to focus on the needs of others, remember that you can't be much help to anyone until you put on your oxygen mask!
How do you put your oxygen mask on? What elements of self-care could you afford to improve on? Share your thoughts on my blog at http://www.experiencingaddvantages.com/2010/01/self-care-for-adults-with-add.html#comments
Podcast: The Holistic Approach to Mental Health
 Dr. Charles Parker was a favorite presenter at the Virtual AD/HD Conference last year, and I'm really excited that he'll also be presenting at another event this month, the Holistic Health Virtual Conference!
Dr. Parker and I recorded a podcast earlier today that previews his Holistic Health Virtual Conference session on "Holistic Mental Health." We talked about:
- What's wrong with the way most doctors approach mental health
- The comprehensive, scientific approach that doctors should be taking with each patient
- What else might be causing mental health challenges like AD/HD, depression, and anxiety
 You can play or download the podcast here.
And check out Dr. Parker's session and the entire Holistic Health Virtual Conference at http://HolisticHealthConference.com!
P.S. Remember the oxygen mask metaphor: If YOU aren't breathing, you can't be of help to anyone else! |
