I think a lot of us do this already, but I regain energy by spending time with my special interests and by stimming. I need to do both daily while being alone.

I also like to be with my family, but I also really need that alone time when I can shake my legs and fidget and read about bats or something.

Consistently working out, the routine and predictably of it is surprisingly good for the mental side. It has done wonders for my emotional regulation and actually learning to notice emotions in my body, kinda like mindfulness meditation. Under the barbell i am forced to focus on my body and how my body reacts and moves, even after working out. Figuring out how my body functions as i was never handed a manual to run it.
Every time i bend over or squat down to pick something up, the weakened muscles remind themselves and once again force me to focus on my body making memmore aware of it or just flex, not for showing off reasons. Just for my own pleasure.

Of course the physical side is an added benefit as well.

It has become the highlight of my day and i am in a worse mood if i miss it or it gets disrupted, which is rare.

Added benefit is that others are assuming I’m highly disciplined as well.

The best one so far was sitting down with my spouse and making lists:

• default grocery list
• 2nd list with low effort meal components in case we can’t manage to cook. (A few are kept in the house but this is more for one to pick up for the other in times if need).
• priority chore list, including which ones we need both to keep an eye on because consequences of forgetting are too high, such as making sure credit cards are paid and the foundation drain system is checked.

This means if one of us just can’t the other has a list of things they can take over, they know what can be dropped so they don’t also get overwhelmed, as well as a list of items to grab to help the other meet their needs.

Another one that is very helpful is the ability to pause conversations and come back to them when we’re more able to participate. We agree that conflicts and other serious discussions require us both to be able to listen and understand. If we can’t do that, we are wasting time, getting stressed out, etc. We let the other know, and maybe throw it in the calendar to make sure we don’t forget.

breathe and speak slower, it helps you think about what you’re going to say, avoiding over sharing

Constantly reminding myself that if people do something all the time, I should be able to do it. I just need to figure out how they’re doing it as the first step. Yeah I still embarrass myself sometimes but it’s taken me a lot further than just avoiding doing things or ducking assignments because I was afraid of the consequences of not knowing what to do.

am I the only one who finds what I do to deal with life is tough enough and can’t imagine adding to it. Its like I want to read the list but it also feels like it will be exhausting just to read.

Years before I had the bulbs (or self-awareness) to do this, but dim the lights, switch to wall lights / upside-down ceiling lampshades, kill the lights… and suddenly I’m not constantly a bunch of seething snakes

I look at and treat humanity as if I’m observing and interacting with wild animals.

For my adhd, slowing down. Taking slower options not always getting there as quickly as possible

Every morning I listen to a radio program. From monday to friday, the program follows the same schedule so I know without having to lool at any watch, what am I doing during my morning routine. I kno’ at what part of the program I brush my teeth, or heat the water for the tea, or do my skincare or leave the house.

Since the program is well structured and punctual, my schedule for the morning is well organized, I don’t skip any step of it and am always on time. Something extremely important for me as if my morning routine fails for whatever reason, the rest of the day is guaranteed to be a mess.

I also have a shower playlist. My showers last 3 minutes, 4 tops. Having a playlist of songs no longer than 4 minutes, makes me know if I’m on time or I should already leave the shower.

Also, as others recommended, earplugs for when you need noise reduction. I use the Loop Switch ones as I can switch control the level of noise reduction with a small switch on them without having to take them off.

ear plugs. life changing.

Leave your phone on do-not-disturb, and inform anyone you give your number to that the phone is always on DND so they shouldn’t expect you to answer or have an immediate response.

Never debate anything with strangers on the Internet. It’s just a waste of time, as in the best case scenario nothing actually changes. It’s not worth the time, frustration, emotional toll or being the target of insults. Just tell anyone looking to argue with you that they’re right, that they’re always right without exception, and then walk away.

Noise cancelling headphones, especially airpods pro. I wear them basically when I go out anywhere there are a lot of people

Instead of avoiding eye contact, focus on the bridge of their nose.

They can’t tell you aren’t looking them in the eye.

Being allowed to do things my way, even if it makes no sense to others. I do lots of things differently to everyone else, because they work for me, and the people I live with are respectful of that. I’ve had to make lots of changes recently due to being in Autistic burnout, and that has resulted in me doing even more things “my way”. Sometimes, when I’m struggling with speaking, it means saying things very briefly - one or two words, like “tea?” instead of “do you want a cup of tea?” or “out” when I need to leave a shop because it’s overwhelming me. Other times, it’s just being allowed to do my grounding routines, like getting my breakfast in peace, because I get muddled or distracted if someone is hovering round me in the kitchen while I do it.