ADHD and family vacations: Why you can’t relax

Family vacations are supposed to be fun. So why do they feel like a project you can’t stop managing?
If you have ADHD, travel is basically a multi-day test of your executive functions. Between planning paralysis, sensory overload, sleep disruptions, and lack of routine, vacations can leave you feeling more stressed than refreshed. And the strain can be even worse for women, who tend to carry a disproportionate amount of the mental load for a family.
In preparation for your Independence Day travels, Dr. J breaks down exactly why trips are so draining for ADHD brains. And she shares five practical strategies to help you actually relax on your next vacation. Happy July 4th!
For more on this topic
Watch: ADHD and perfectionism
Listen: Breaking the burnout cycle: What is rest?
For a transcript and more resources, visit The ADHD Channel for Women on Understood.org. You can also email us at [email protected].
Getting your child the support they need at school shouldn’t feel like a fight. But for millions of families, it does. In Zero Reject, an investigative podcast from Understood.org, award-winning journalist Anya Kamenetz looks at how changing federal policies are reshaping special education — and what’s at stake for families trying to access the support their children are legally entitled to. Start listening now.
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