At the Holistic Health virtual conference, I presented a talk on "Stress Management for Better Health," and I'd like to share some of that information with you today, specifically as it applies to attention deficit Disorder (ADD) management.
Have you ever been walking or exercising with an iPod (or walkman, or radio) and the batteries run out on you? What do you do? Well, if you're like me, the first thing you do is play with the device in the hopes of getting it to magically work again!
"Hmmm..." you think. "What if I jiggle this thing around a little? Or shut it off and then turn it back on?" It usually works, but only for a few minutes. When the batteries are out of juice, there's really nothing you can do about it. The battery needs to recharge, and that takes time.
Did you know that this can happen to you, too? You can run out of juice and just stop working!
Adults with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) have a low tolerance for frustration. We also have a difficult time regulating our energy levels. So if you have a rough day at work, come home to find a sink full of dishes when you left it clean, and discover that your brand new shirt somehow managed to get badly stained, you're likely to find yourself feeling drained.
Just like an iPod that hasn't been charged in a while, you stop working. You reach a point where you know that you just can't handle anything else. You feel like your batteries have run out of juice.
And just like an iPod that's run out of juice, you might be tempted to play with the batteries to jolt them back to life. You might have another cup of coffee or grab a sugary snack. And this might work, for a little while. But just like an iPod, when your battery is dry, you need to recharge.
This is the perfect time to slow down and step back from stress. In fact, it's essential. Take a recharging break. That might mean taking a walk, stretching, going for a drive, picking up a book, or whatever it is you do when you need to unwind.
Of course, there will always be things on your to-do list. The important question is,would you rather tackle your to-do's fully charged, or running on empty? And which way do you think is more effective?
Remember this. And remember that a little recharging time can go a long way in lowering your stress levels and managing your ADD.
