What are you Willing to Commit To so that You can Start the New Year Off Right?

As the New Year looms in front of us, I want you to take a look at your schedule, your list of things to do, and your resolutions and goals.  What do you see that your commitments have in common with each other?  My very knowledgeable guess (from years of coaching adults with ADD and parents) is that not too many of the things you have to do are really just for you.

Living with ADD, and/or caring for a child or teen with ADHD, requires a lot of mental and physical energy!  I’m sure most of you would agree that it can be totally and completely exhausting at times.  And most of us do ourselves a disservice, and do a disservice to those we care for, by not putting ourselves high up on our list of important commitments. Here are some simple things you can do to refresh and recharge your batteries, so that your are at your best to take on your commitments:

1. Get outside! A change of scenery, a breath of fresh air and some sunlight can do wonders for your mind and your body.
2. Do something with your hands: gardening, knitting, arts and crafts, even puzzles can be very refreshing and renewing.
3. Take a nap or a rest.
4. Get your body moving! Start small and start slow—take a 10 or 20 minute or ride a stationary bike for a few minutes to get the blood pumping—can do wonders for recharging your batteries.
5. Try something new, or resurrect an old interest, and spend some time on it every day. Taking on a new challenge or reviving an old interest can be invigorating!
6. Bolster your social connections. Make it a point to schedule regular time for yourself with people you care about—or to meet new people–and do it on a regular basis.
7. Claim some “Alone Time”. Many of us with ADHD need some quiet, down time in a day to process and settle our minds a bit.  As much as I am not a morning person, I take 10-15 minutes alone with a cup of coffee before my kids get up, and I do the same thing every evening (another 10-15 minutes) after everyone has gone to bed just to kind of exhale the day.  As much as it’s hard to resist the allure of an extra 10-15 minutes of sleep, I’ve learned that I really need that little bit of time to recharge my batteries.

What are you willing to commit to so that you can Start the New Year Off Right?  I’m here and ready to get to work when you are!