ADHD

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A casual community for people with ADHD

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Relevant Lemmy communities:

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How do you relax/rest? (reddthat.com)

submitted 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) by [email protected] to c/adhd

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I understand that I have to relax every now and then, however I am really struggling with it, being constantly in an endless loop of:

Having a lot of energy and doing a bunch of stuff for a couple of weeks.
Getting exhausted to the point I cannot control my impulsions and wreck my daily routine
Try to rest only to fall in a depressive state for a couple of weeks.
Collect myself up and repeat from step 1.

Trying to do low effort activities like watching a series or playing video games, is addictive, I stay up late without being able to stop, and end up more tired.

The hobbies I like require focus, and that's what I am trying to avoid. Examples include programming and chess.

Going out with friends is nice but drains my social energy, after a couple of weekends out I need to stay in.

Chores sometimes work, but other times I feel guilty about the state of cleanliness of my home.

So, how do you relax/rest? Got a magic recipe? Are you struggling like me?

Edit: I just want to say this community is awesome, thanks for the support.

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[–] [email protected] 8 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Part of it is pacing yourself on the energy weeks. Just because I have the energy to work 12 hours a day on a project doesn't mean I should.

Another part is ensuring I have a good combination of fun/unstructured time with friends, time with SO and time alone. In time alone I'll tend to listen to a book and play something stimulating like slay the spire.

As for rest it took me a long, long time of fighting it but eventually one day it mostly clicked for me: I'm now in bed around 1030 up around 7 and feel good at that level of sleep. I know that if I stop playing games and just watch some TV and pet the dog I'll start to get tired.

Yes executive dysfunction makes those deliberate choices harder but it's not insurmountable. I will say trying to keep myself in sync with my partner has also helped tremendously. I try to go to bed at the same time as them every night.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago

Just because I have the energy to work 12 hours a day on a project doesn't mean I should.

Actually I feel I should... My productivity at works comes and goes in phases, I have to make up for it in productive weeks if I don't want to get fired.