ADHD, how do we manage our nervous systems, where does alcohol fit?🍷

Alcohol is given as a solution so often in our society.

To enhance enjoyment, celebrate success, drown our sorrows, take the edge off the day. 

For ADHD there is an additional challenge.

What if all these messages from society also show alcohol as an acceptable way to manage the shift from activated to rest, a way of coping with the noise in a busy mind. 

I help clients to see that activation is not just a state of mind for ADHD, but also how it impacts the nervous system in responding to this level of stimulation.

Alcohol can be a tool to unwind, however we can learn other methods.

When we see the nervous system as the gears in a car, we struggle to go from 4th gear to 1st gear, the engine makes a loud uncomfortable sound. The body is similar. 

It can feel like too much of a jolt to go from being busy, to sitting on the sofa trying to unwind at the end of the day, drink can become the acceptable solution.

What if during the day there are pauses, moments to move down to 3rd gear, even 2nd gear. 

The nervous system gets to recharge, digest, repair.

We can then get to the end of the day a little less frazzled, a little less in need of a tool to unwind to 1st gear. 

The way in which we manage our nervous systems is a personal choice. 

Maybe curiosity is a helpful lens to wonder at how you can take a pause, and the difference this can make as we ramp up to the busy season of year.

#adhd #alcohol #rest #takeapause