Practical Ways to Keep Your ADD Under Control During the Holiday Season

Do November's Thanksgiving experiences have you dreading the December holidays? The idea of gifts, family, and days off sounds great?but we all know that holidays are some of the most stressful times of the year. When an ADDer starts to become immersed in the shopping, cooking, traveling, and family interactions, their ADD can complicate matters. You can find yourself quickly feeling overwhelmed and overloaded. You may not be able to avoid these feelings altogether, but there are some strategies you can employ to help keep your ADD under control during the holiday season.

The first thing that you can do for yourself is to schedule some "you" time. Find something that will recharge your battery - take a walk, go for a drive, sit quietly in a favorite chair, meditate, exercise, lay down and close your eyes, etc. Find something that works for you, and commit to doing it every day. Don't wait until you feel your ADD getting out of control. The holiday season can become more and more intense from day to day. Daily recharging is a method for preventing the intense feelings of being overwhelmed.

Another thing that you can do to keep your ADD under control is to take frequent breaks during chaotic times. First, identify your stressors. Personally, I find myself overwhelmed and agitated while shopping during the holiday season. The streets, the malls, and all the stores are so crowded that it's hard to get where you want to go, find the things you need, and navigate your way without bumping into people! Some people don't mind this experience, but it instantly overwhelms me. So I make sure that my shopping trips are short, and I allow myself to take time out to go outside or sit with a cup of coffee when I feel myself getting agitated. I don't pressure myself to do it all in a set amount of time.

And finally, another good strategy is to prioritize your tasks. Do you already feel like your list is building with holiday cards to send, decorations to put up, gifts to buy, etc.? Plan in the time you need, and spread out the tasks so that you don't end up scrambling at the last minute. Make a list of all the things you need to do, and then prioritize it. After your list is prioritized, commit some time to those things. As an added incentive, make appointments to do these things with other people. Ask your spouse to commit to a day to put up the decorations, invite a friend to have coffee and write out cards together, see if your mom wants to go shopping with you?you get the picture! Making the tasks fun and social may help keep you on track.

Remember, the holidays are stressful for everyone, especially ADDers, but you can keep your ADD in check. Schedule in daily recharging time. Take breaks when you need them. And plan ahead to avoid procrastinating. Using these strategies to the best of your ability will help you keep your ADD under control this holiday season!

About The Author

Jennifer Koretsky is a Professional ADD Management Coach who helps adults manage their ADD and move forward in life. She encourages clients to increase self-awareness, focus on strengths and talents, and create realistic action plans. She offers a 90-day intensive skill-building program, workshops, and private coaching. Her work has been featured in numerous media, including The New York Times Magazine and The Times (UK). To subscribe to Jennifer's free email newsletter, The ADD Management Guide, please visit http://www.addmanagement.com/e-newsletter.htm

jennifer@addmanagement.com

In The News:


pen paper and inkwell


cat break through


Christmas Decorating Ideas - Edible Ornaments

Although it is now more decades away than I care... Read More

Lost and Found (A Valentines Day Story)

I casually glanced down at my hand, but instead of... Read More

Ultimate Army Themed Games & Activities for Your Childs Birthday Party

Are you looking for the Ultimate Army Themed Party Games... Read More

Its Party Time - Lets Decorate!

Holidays are here and so is the spirit of partying.... Read More

Tips to Save Time & Money; Christmas Shopping Online

So Christmas is a few months away. Seems like a... Read More

A Christmas Tradition - Vintage Ornaments

Traditional hand-blown glass Christmas ornaments never seem to go out... Read More

Set the Mood- Halloween Decoration Ideas

When Halloween comes around and you want to throw a... Read More

9 Fantastic Formulas for a Stress Free Holiday!

The holidays are officially here. And so the season for... Read More

Throwing an Anniversary Party to be Remembered

Anniversary parties are a wonderful way to celebrate two people... Read More

Whatever Happened to Christmas?

Remember when no one started Christmas shopping until after Thanksgiving?Wisconsin... Read More

Holiday Gift Ideas For Antique Lovers

1. Knowledge is Power. Whatever the area of collecting ?... Read More

A Simple Little Holiday Plan

The Thanksgiving leftovers have all been eaten and the gift-buying... Read More

Jewelry As A Father?s Day Gift

It is widely known that many men enjoy fine jewelry.... Read More

Honoring our Fathers

This weekend as we celebrate Father's Day, take an opportunity... Read More

It?s Time to Start Thinking about Mothers Day

Mother's Day is approaching fast. This year it falls on... Read More

Top 15 Valentines Day Quotations

"If you love somebody, let them go. If they return,... Read More

What Are And How To Use Free Ecard and Free Ecards

You can consider free ecards as being the same thing... Read More

Fun, Fireworks, & Flowers!

The 4th of July is a time for celebrating Freedom!... Read More

Low On Cash For Christmas? Try Gifts in a Jar

Time is money, and right now you don't have either... Read More

Holiday Tips For Stepfamilies

Holiday Tips For Stepfamilies: Let Go Of The "Brady Bunch"... Read More

No Paws from Santa Claus

The Holidays are coming and children have thought long and... Read More

Maybe This Christmas Will Be Different....

Have you always dreamed of a Norman Rockwell Christmas -... Read More

Animatronic Halloween Props - Cardboard Carpentry

One of the most inexpensive ways to create stonewalls in... Read More

Celebrating Fathers

On Father's Day, we celebrate the guys in our lives.... Read More

Stress-Free Party Planning

It's a fact; most of us feel immediately stressed and... Read More

Surviving Those Holiday Blues

Not everyone shares in the celebration and joy associated with... Read More

Make it an Unforgettable Birthday!

The first known birthday celebrations began among the Egyptians with... Read More

Top Ten Tips To A Terrific Valentine?s Day - For Men in Relationships

Okay guys, so this is a great opportunity to get... Read More

Camping And The Right Kind Of Tent

Campers all over the globe prefer to use tents in... Read More

10 Holiday Sober Savers 2004

1.) BEGIN NOW !!!Don't save your shopping, decorating, cooking, wrapping,... Read More

Its Never Too Early To Shop For Christmas

Every year we go through the same process of making... Read More

Birthday Gift Ideas

Birthday celebrations date back as far as biblical times, when... Read More

Fitness Tips On How To Avoid Gaining Weight During The Holiday Season

This holiday season don't be trendy ? avoid the Seasonal... Read More