C.S.
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Kansas City
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I do at least 10 minutes of yoga. :)
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Okay, I need ideas of how to decompress in the evenings. I have a fairly inconvenient internal clock. I wake up as a zombie (minus the flesh eating). It takes extraordinary effort to manage the most menial of tasks. Conversation? Forget. About. It.
By mid morning I'm feeling pretty good. I've had my coffee (this is not something that can be taken out of my life at this point, caffeine helps me think in a way where I can better function - perhaps not ideal - but a fact at this point). It's one of the most efficient tools I can use to best function with ADHD-c.
By evening I've crashed once (2:30pm is my nemesis) and am in my first wind - full swing. My brain starts thinking properly, and connections more clear. I am super on fire and I have my coolest ideas. By nine o'clock my body is fully alert, and my mind is tired but still going whirling away. I am exhausted, and all twitchy. Not a fun combo.
Then, I try and start to decompress for bed. It takes a long time and quite a lot of effort to get myself ready for bed. I am worse than an average child. I need time to just be, to let my thoughts whirl without effort or attention. It takes so much attention to stay on track, follow each line to completion, get the wires to cross just right.
Mamapedia is one way I decompress, TV is another, writing another. I like to write because it sort of helps me sort out the day, sort my thoughts. Like trying on clothes to find an appealing combination. I'd like to find other ways I could wind down and relax. I think I reach for the easiest fix but that I could probably meet my needs in a way that was healthier and more productive.
The other really important thing to add, is that I'm starting full time school in the fall. I will be taking biology, chemistry, and mathematics, a 16 interdisciplinary program that has a reputation for being tough. I haven't been in school for seven years, and need help with study habits and time management.
I am not going to have as much time or energy. I need quick, healthy, productive ways to decompress. How do you do it?
I do at least 10 minutes of yoga. :)
Can you go over to Adderall or another stimulant med? I found when I had trouble getting up in the morning I would set my alarm for 30 minutes before I had to get up and keep my pills and some water by my bed. I just reached over, turned the alarm off, grabbed the pill and took it. 30 minutes later I was wide awake. :)
I have a beer in the evening, read on the computer and have the TV on for white noise.
One warning, do not take higher math as an evening course. I took calculus during the summer from 6:00 to 9:30. I slept but all I dreamed about was calculations over and over and over.....not very restful! I was a sleepy mess for six weeks. At one point was so cranky I told the professor this class should come with a warning label! :( Not pretty.
Yes, exercise could do it. Do you run, or are you willing to? A jog around the neighborhood or at the gym might do it. If you can't get out with kids, etc. then look into doing something via the TV or even some yoga as Cupcake mentioned. Perhaps even just meditation??
Do you do coffee or soda mid day to help with your crash? What about doing some caffeine free tea at the end of the day to help you unwind...or a bath or shower with lavender soaps/oils?
Perhaps even having a collection of ready to eat healthy snacks on hand might help...like cottage cheese, veggies and hummus, nuts, etc.
This sounds very much like my typical day - minus the coffee, I drink strong black tea instead.
Add exercise. I NEED exercise to focus and to function and to be able to sleep. I run/walk, and go to karate classes when I can. A repetitive type exercise (walking, running, swimming, biking) seems best for those of us with ADD/ADHD or like symptoms. I exercise any time of day that I can fit it in, but the best is in the evening. At dusk or in the dark. That fits best with my daily energy levels. I have even gone running at close to midnight, and I've still slept better than I would've otherwise.
I'm a student, also. It has been scientifically shown that after a session of vigorous exercise, we have three hours of time where our brains are ready to learn! (Read "SPARK: the amazing new science of exercise and the brain" for more details on this). I've experienced this over and over. My focus lasts three hours after a run. Take advantage of this! ADD/ADHD makes focusing on school work a challenge. Exercise works!
You say you need quick healthy productive ways to decompress, but you are not ready to give up the coffee...that's a high you are getting that eventually makes you feel worse. Get rid of the coffee, eat wholesome foods and exercise. It will help your brain decompress the better way...Who knows, the ADHD might actually go away as well and you can get some much needed sleep.
Oh - the magic de-stress and mind-shuter-offer?
Please post when you find the recipe. :)
I don't have ADHD but I do know what has helped tremendously with ADHD for several people. Go to hellolife.net and look for synaptol (sp). It helps ADHD people and keeps them calm, focused, and therefore better able to cope with life. Try one bottle and see what it does for you.
N.
