YES, the holiday season is upon us as our radios are flooded with Christmas music and the office part is right around the corner.
Even if they are holidays we cannot afford to take a break from managing our ADD/ADHD.
Here are a few tips for ADDers surviving the holidays:
1- Decide on a budget for the holidays from gifts to the wine. Our impulsive and our generous nature often make us go over budget. So respect your preset budget and make certain that it is a realistic one and you have the money for it.
2- Make a list of gift ideas for everyone on your list. Do not go to the mall for inspiration as this often leads to impulsive purchases and going over budget. Remember it’s the thought that counts.
3- The list of holiday invitations can really overwhelm ADDers. So sit down with your loved ones and decide which events you want and will be attending and plug them into your calendar and see if the schedule makes sense. Please remember you only have a certain amount of energy and you can’t do it all.
4- If you find yourself constantly sending out your Christmas cards in the New Year, make a date with a friend to come over and make an afternoon of it. Have your cards and stamps ready along with addresses and enjoy sending good cheer to friends and family for the holidays. Having a friend come over to do holiday cards has always worked for me.
5- The Christmas party can be very distracting for people with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder as people are coming and going and talking left right and center. Many people tend to over-drink to themselves down but don’t be that person making out on the dance floor with a colleague in front of your bosses; you’ll only regret it come Monday. So be sure to have a glass of water between every drink and decide in advance the number of drinks you will be having. Remember attending the office holiday party is important because is shows good team spirit, but it’s also the time where your bosses get to see you in a social setting and trust me they are taking notes.
I hope these tips will help you manage your ADD/ADHD a little better this holiday season and please allow me to wish you a Happy Hanukkah, a Merry Christmas and all the best for a fantastic New Year.
Happy holidays!
