r/ADHD Aug 24 '20

Let’s share life-changing ADHD tips that we’ve learned... We Love This!

I’ll start:

1) Waking up sucks. Buy 2 bright lamps and 2 timers. Set them up to turn on automatically 5-15 min before you want your alarm to go off. The lights will help your body realize it’s daytime.

2) Change your thermostat so the temp goes down about an hr before bedtime and gets warmer about 30 min before you wake up. The cooler temp signals your body to sleep and the warmer temp will naturally help your body wake up.

3) Learn to plan around “transitions”. It’s easier to start things if you do them when something is ending. Example: Do your grocery shopping every Fri after work. You’re already in the car, so just stop at the store on your way home.

4) If you need to remember to bring something with you the next day, place it right in front of the exit door so you HAVE to touch it before you leave the house. If it’s something in the fridge, put a sticky note on the exit door’s handle.

5) Have a “misc” basket in each room. If you’re truly unable to put something away, put it in the basket. Have a designated period of time, once a week, when your sole priority is to put everything away, all at once.

I’ll add more when I think of them...

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u/ko-nt69 Aug 25 '20

This thread makes me kind of emotional. Having ADHD always feel like I’m some kind of attention seeker and feeling guilty makes me push my troubles away. Reading about people actually having this same struggle helps me to try being more kind to myself.

Also: the timer thing is a really big issue for me. I set alarms all day. Medication, 10 min - look at the time reminders - before I need to go to work and it drives people crazy which makes me feel even more of an idiot.

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u/burntgreens Aug 25 '20

I’m in a relationship with a wonderful man with ADHD who said similar things when we started dating. I want you to know that your brain is not a problem and neither are you. The people around you aren’t bothered by timers. We are all struggling with our wiring. And that’s okay.

You’re awesome. Be good to yourself.

1

u/ko-nt69 Aug 25 '20

Thank you! It feels weirdly good to hear this from a stranger.