( Everyday Life with Autism )

We all know how tiring, exhausting, and sometimes draining life can be, if you have a child or more than one on the autism spectrum. In this post I would like to suggest some ideas for parents that might help them have a better-balanced life. Your daily schedule is so busy, and your child always needs your help. You are better off staying healthy and high-spirited. Do it for your own well-being, as well as for your family. Don’t be in denial, accept the fact, and move on with your life.

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1- Physical activity is a very effective way to improve the mood and blood circulation. Somehow, when you do a physical activity, serotonin (which is a neurotransmitter responsible for boosting the mood) levels increase in the blood. You are not planning on becoming an athlete or a champion (although you could if you wanted to). The simplest form of physical activity is walking. All you need to do is: put your walking shoes on, open the door and walk. It is as simple as that. Take a deep breath in and out and regulate your walking rhythm to a comfortable pace. The first ten minutes are usually the hardest, and you might feel heavy and reluctant to go farther. But as you keep going, you’ll feel yourself lighter on your feet, and your mind will automatically get engaged in positive thoughts. Look around and discover your environment. You already feel better now.

Biking is another fun physical activity if you can bike.

Yoga is one of the most relaxing and comforting physical activities. It is also a good way to learn how to breathe.

You may decide to go to the gym or the swimming pool, or to be on a team. You could even stay at home and go on your own treadmill. Just make sure, nobody interrupts you while you are on your break.

In the post “Questions and Answers” I talked about how beneficial the physical activities are, even for children with autism. It is also one of the most helpful therapies for kids and adults with ADHD.

Physical activities raise the body awareness, which consequently raises your mindful thinking.

It might be a good idea to find a buddy who shares the same interest in your physical activity. Both of you will encourage each other.

Physical activities are endless. You can even enjoy doing some of them at home, but let everybody know, that you are not available just for those sixty minutes.

2- Practice a hobby or a passion that you’ve always been longing for. It could be reading, painting, drawing, knitting, beading, sewing, playing a musical instrument, dancing, singing, taking a language class, photography, gardening, walking your dog (What a great company!), etc. It is easy to find out about what you really want to do. Dive into your passion for sixty minutes, it will relieve your mind and take the stress away.

3- Have a social life.

4- Read some self-help books. There is a huge collection of these books that can make your life easier, happier and more exciting. These books helped me personally through difficult times.

Here are some titles that you might consider reading.

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Tags: ADHD, autism, books, communication, parenting, personal time off, schedule, social interaction