ADHD and holidays can often be chaotic and stressful, sometimes overwhelming, especially for families with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
Those who spend most of the holidays traveling and away from home in particular not only have to make travel arrangements, but also cope with the overwhelming disruption to their daily routine. When children are involved, the challenges multiply.
This year and this Christmas, avoid letting holiday travel end in arguments and resentment, both on your part and on the part of your children.
Here are 6 ADHD travel tips for traveling with ADHD and getting through the holidays!
Overcome your ADHD FOMO
People with ADHD often suffer from overstimulation during the holidays and want to see everything at once. FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) is exactly that: the fear of being excluded and missing out on events or experiences, the ADHD vacation anxiety.
Remember that your children’s childhood and the years you spend with them will pass more quickly than you think. It is important to accept during a trip or vacation that your children may not be able to keep up with all the activities you want to do, from restaurant visits to museum trips to evening events. Therefore, it will be necessary to say no to some events, even if you enjoy them.
It is important to accept the reality of the present, knowing that in the coming years you will have much more freedom to do whatever you want.
Always remember that sometimes, when you feel like you can’t overcome your ADHD FOMO, it’s a good idea to reach out to ADHD professionals!
Be flexible but realistic with your ADHD
It is normal to attend events during vacations and holidays that may challenge your children. For example, you may find yourself in situations where they have to stay up late, dress up, or sit still for long periods of time. In such cases, you may wonder how to deal with ADHD and holidays.
One ADHD travel tip is that it is often best to be flexible, but at the same time never forget your ADHD and be realistic. When you find yourself in situations like this, it is important to allow yourself time to rest and relax.
For example, if you have a wedding and your child wants to stay up later than they normally go to bed, it may be a good idea to put them to bed very early every night before the wedding, for example at 7 p.m. Many people might think you’re being very strict by not allowing them to stay up until the desired time, but this way your child will be well-rested throughout the week and you can be more flexible with the times for this special event.
Try to sleep! Lack of sleep makes ADHD symptoms worse.
It is well known that vacations and holidays often cause changes and disruptions to our routines and often trigger ADHD vacation anxiety. During Christmas celebrations and dinners, it is normal to extend waking hours in order to spend more time with friends and family.
But these little sleep sacrifices come at a price, especially for people with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). In addition to disrupting normal routines, sleep deprivation can exacerbate ADHD symptoms. If more than one person in your family has ADHD, the problem is amplified exponentially.
So if you decide to sacrifice sleep, do so consciously and be aware of the consequences!
Share responsibility with your partner if you have ADHD
If you have ADHD, try to share responsibilities with your partner or co-parent before you leave. Another ADHD travel tip would be, for example, if you are visiting your partner’s family, to let them sleep in and take care of the children so that they can spend more time with relatives, and vice versa when visiting your family or friends.
It is important for ADHD families that these agreements are clear, because people with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) need clear and explicit requirements.
Keep in mind that the concept of “fair” does not always translate into an equal division of time and responsibility for the children. Whatever solution is found, make sure that no one feels unfairly burdened and that everyone has the opportunity to take a break when necessary.
Express your true desires if you have ADHD
Identify your family’s values and understand what you really need. Don’t hesitate to express your true desires, even if this means making unpopular decisions.
For example, it might be better for your family’s well-being to tell your relatives that you will no longer try to see everyone during the Christmas season because it is too stressful. Remember that the priority is for your family to have a truly fulfilling Christmas!
Accept the challenges of ADHD
An important ADHD travel tip is to always remember that you never have to settle for having ADHD; it does not mean accepting a lower quality of life. However, it must be acknowledged that attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) makes some things more difficult, and this is a reality you have to face every day. Only then will you be able to travel with ADHD and enjoy the holidays.
Planning a trip, packing suitcases, and walking out the front door are daily challenges for families with ADHD. Attending family dinners can be more difficult, as can being away from home and disrupting daily routines.
Since these basic activities of daily living are much more challenging, it is important to handle the situation calmly. Sometimes it is good to refrain from traveling at Christmas or to try to meet as many people as possible on New Year’s Eve.
In any case, remember that you are never alone! Sometimes, when daily challenges seem overwhelming, the best choice is to seek help from ADHD professionals.
If you are an adult with ADHD, consider reaching out to the ADHD professionals at GAM Medical to help you navigate the holidays and family travel in harmony!
