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Neurodivergency/Mental Health Tips Thread:
Disclaimer: I feel like I gotta say that you should, if possible, get medicated and see a therapist. These tips will also not be shit like "eat healthier and exercise!" because you probably fucking know. These are tips for how I keep myself alive, basically.
Tip 1: Struggle with personal hygiene? Buy bath bombs, cool shower stuff, and stuff that smells nice. I used to shower maybe once every 3-4 days because it was so hard. I bought bath bombs, shower jellies from Lush, and shampoo that smells like mango.
Now I shower almost every day or every other day. I want to use my bath bombs so I get in the tub, and I might as well get clean while I'm there. The shower jellies are fun and jiggly so I want to use them and I like the smell of my new shampoo.
Tip 2: Meditation is helpful but HARD. If you can't focus on your breathing, light a candle and focus on the flame or use one of those energy healing/hand movement ASMR videos. So much easier.
Tip 3: Use external structure and pressure. Need to clean your apartment but can't find motivation? Invite your friends over to your place. You'll probably find the motivation to clean.
Tip 4: Do you impulsively spend your money? First, remove your card numbers from your phone/computer/any online stores. Second, find a big bowl or tupperware container. Fill it halfway up with water and freeze. Then, put your ALL of your cards in.
Fill it up the rest of the way and freeze again. Your cards are now in that huge block of ice and if you want to buy anything, you have to get in there first. Don't just fill up a small container and place your cards at the bottom. They're too easy to get out.
Tip 5: Set alarms for EVERYTHING. For getting a shower. For eating. For going to bed. Get a smart watch if you can- I use my fiance's sometimes, and it makes the alarms feel more urgent than they do if they're on my phone.
Tip 6: Get a whiteboard for your place. If trackers/star charts help, use it for that. Those didn't work for me, so now I use it to visually work through my thoughts/feelings if my brain is getting too clogged. Seeing things rather than just thinking about them helps me.
Tip 7: THROW OUT SHIT THAT MAKES U FEEL BAD. Clothes that don't fit because maybe you'll lose weight one day. Stuff from past relationships because it was expensive. Don't keep it. Throw it away or make a list and have someone throw it away for you.
Tip 8: Open your windows! Being cooped up inside will make your symptoms worse but going outside is super fucking hard. Just open the blinds and open your window. The light, fresh air, and sounds make you feel better almost instantly. If you have a balcony or porch, stand there.
Tip 9: AVOID YOUR TRIGGERS. I'm not just talking about big ones like abuse mentions, ALL OF THEM. I have the word "motorcycle" muted on all my social media. I skip that episode of Hannibal because motorcycles are a trigger.
Block people. Mute words. Unfollow people on Facebook if unfriending them is going to cause a problem. You can't avoid triggers IRL, but in your spaces, online and your apartment? Avoid the fuck out of them.
Tip 10: Get clothes that you like wearing. Nothing will make my mood crash faster than wearing a stained, ill-fitting, or faded shirt. Throw those out and buy new ones that you feel comfortable wearing. You don't have to dress up every day, but you should feel okay with yourself.
Tip 11: Struggle to eat? Protein shakes. I take caramel Premier Protein shakes and mix them with iced coffee. At least I’m consuming something of nutritional value.
Tip 12: Buy one of those fucking marked water bottles. Buy two. Buy 7 if you struggle to do dishes. It helps with hydration.
Tip 13: LIMIT UR FUCKING CAFFEINE INTAKE. Some caffeine is okay. Like 2 cups of coffee or one energy drink. Any more and you are gonna put your anxiety into gd overdrive.
Tip 14: If you struggle with suicidality, GIVE URSELF SHIT TO LOOK FORWARD TO. I can’t kill myself, I’ve got a concert I wanna see in July! The concerts done, but I can’t kill myself, Halloween is coming up! Keep going till infinity.
Tip 15: Find your way of processing trauma and stick to it. I write reader-insert fanfic. You may draw or journal. It's all fine.
I'll probably add more to this thread as more come to me but @willgwaham @bella_bedelia u said you were interested
