Resets?

Thank you for sharing your story! I’m 37, Hispanic, and diagnosed 2 months ago. To recalibrate, I take a “me” day, or weekend if I can. If I can do the weekend, I’ll try to travel, alone. Do things I like, on my own to enjoy my own company.

I'm AuDHD so it can differ, but after meltdowns I usually do couple of things. if I'm at home: • if necessary change into softer clothes, so there's no additional stimuli • putting headphones on (just to block out sound, with 8D audios, white/brown noise or your comfort songs be it favourite album or Zelda soundtrack, whatever works in the moment) • wearing a sleeping mask to block out the light or a soft towel (putting it into cold water can help if you have a headache afterwards, but make sure to bring dry one too) which helps nervous system to calm down a bit • drinking either warm water or herbs tea (can get rid of post-meltdown headache as sometimes they appear from dehydration) • laying down horizontally, possibly napping. if muscles are stiff gently stretching or applying pressure on different parts of your body with your palms/gently touching the skin with circle motions to help "come back" to your body and feel more present and in control. I have purchased weighted blanked and it's been a life saviour in moments like these, too! • getting any widgets, toys, etc that would allow you to stim with your hands while you're relaxing the body • if still agitated doing breathing exercises. gently inhale 4, exhale 8 works wonders for me as well as breathing in through one nostril and breathing out with the other (sometimes my brain picks it up as a stim!) (additionally: this doesn't work for me, but my friend takes a warm bath with no lights to help them calm down their senses) if outside: • if possible I find going go to the nearest "nature spot" a life saviour. be it a park, a river, couple of big trees near houses – anywhere where you could sit down and look at the very few things – just the sky and the top of the trees. • alternatively find a place where you could be alone (anything from bathroom stall in any cafe to supply closet at work, anything in close proximity). somewhere to sit down and through various tricks try to recharge. most importantly just being gentle with yourself and allowing that space for recovery, even if it takes up rest of the day or the day after. i still struggle with it, getting annoyed at how exhausted I am. however I try to remind myself that my nervous system went into overload and now needs extra care to regulate (just like I'd provide extra care for a physical injury) and even if frustrating it's part of the path to feeling better

Love that quote. And really needed this. Thanks for that! 🙏