ADHD and the Holidays

This time of the year, as children take time off from school, you may be finding that routines, and the general “order” of doing things at your house, are changing. Keeping a healthy routine is a vital part of winning with ADHD. You may also find yourself floundering with the lack of structure during vacation. Here are some tips to help you get through this holiday season.

For Children

1) Keep the same bed times and sleep routines. It is tempting to allow children to stay up later than usual during the holidays. But remember, it can take many weeks to establish a healthy sleep-wake time schedule. Don’t change this over the holidays.

2) Make sure your child continues to do scheduled schoolwork over the holidays. Just and hour a day can keep your child focused on thinking. Start a special project or activity that you only work on during that “school” hour.

3) Food and diet. I know this one is tough, but try to keep a balanced diet with limited amounts of chocolate and candy.

4) Structured physical activity. Make sure your child has time to be physically active at least twice during the day.

5) Limit video game time, and never allow your child to play after dinner. It will impact their ability to sleep.

For Adults

1) Create structure in your day to gradually think less and less about work. Ease into your vacation.

2) Many of the same rules suggested for children apply to you as well. Structured physical activity, ample amounts of sleep, and a good diet will be helpful.

3) Avoid excessive use of alcohol. This will also affect your ability to get a good night’s sleep.

4) Try something new. Try a new hobby, activity, or different type of book to read. If you are not already a fan, download from I-tunes some of the many free podcasts to enhance your knowledge and education. It’s okay to work on upgrading your skills during this holiday.

Take control of this holiday time by building the structure that you need to win with ADHD.