YOUR Needs
It is important to identify your needs as an ADHDer. The world will not identify them for you, and even if the world does identify “needs,” they may not be your specific needs. We are all different and have different needs, so what is needed for one person may not be needed for you. You need to identify your specific needs in order to live a fulfilling life.
Round up the Usual Suspects!
Everyone has key areas of need. They will look differently for each person. However, the big areas are the same. The three big areas I would like to discuss today are MIND, BODY, AND SPIRIT.
Mind
What does your brain need to be effective? What is the right environment for your brain to operate in? Do you need background noise while working, or do you need silence? How much sleep do you need? The National Sleep Foundation recommends 7-9 hours of sleep for adults. That is a wide margin. Do you need closer to 7 hours, or do you need closer to 9? What other elements of environment and self-care can you enlist to help your brain? What else will help your brain operate at peak efficiency?
Additionally, do you have depression? Anxiety? Another mentalh health condition? Then, you may need medication, therapy, and/or coaching. What you do to take care of your mental health should be as unique as you are. Find what works for you.
Body
One of the things that will help your brain is something that helps your body as well – exercise. Getting exercise is important for taking care of yourself. How much exercise you need and what specific type of exercise you need is going to be individualized. How much do you need? What type of exercise works best for you? I know, currently, I am not getting the exercise I need and enjoy doing, so I need to make a change.
Spirit
Taking care of your brain and body is one thing, but there is another aspect to us, one that is hard to put into words. The best word to describe it is spirit. For me, this describes my faith life. I regularly practice my faith and it brings comfort and order to my life. But, that is me. What will take care of your spirit? How do you find peace? My friends and I have an expression: “Follow the peace.” I believe that, if you follow what gives you peace, you will end up in the right place.
Finding Specifics of What You Need
I have written this blog in general terms, asking questions, instead of making proclamations. This is becuase I want you to find what works for YOU, not for me. How does one do this? The short answer is experimentation. Try some stuff, and examine whether or not it was helpful. I have written a blog post on the idea of experimentation that might be useful. Additionally, if you would like some help identifying your needs and setting up experiments, I am currently taking on new coaching clients.
I hope you find what you need and are able to get it.