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blue_hearted_rose

Updated 9mo ago

Struggling with Hygiene and Mental Health

How do y'all handle hygiene upkeep? Between my ADHD and my depression it seems I can never be consistent with showers/brushing my teeth/anything really. And that in turn makes me more depressed and anxious because I feel ugly and disgusting. So lost😥

Can you help? connect today

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archerinnit

1y

Tbh, I treat myself like a kid. I talk to myself like a child, I don't reprimand myself like my parents did for me. If you skip a couple days, thats okay. Again, see yourself as a child. Be gentle with yourself, and get as much as you can get done, done. And this doesnt just go for hygiene.
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Flameember

1y

For me personally I use them as "I can't do _ before I do _" kinda thing. So like "I can't go to bed till I shower, even if just a quick body shower with soap". Pf course it doesn't work for everyone, but for me it works. Setting up a step by step routine with a checklist helps.
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melabeille

1y

I use an app called Finch -- it's the only goal-keeping app I've stuck with for more than a month bc of the way it's designed. It doesn't focus on "streaks" or on losing them, never makes me feel like a screw-up, is all-around gentle, understanding, & fun 😊 (also virtually everything on it is available in the free version if you need!)
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blue_hearted_rose

1y

THANK YOU! That's wonderful. I can never handle streak-based motivation bc my adhd is already too all-or-nothing. I'll try it!
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Kelso9344

1y

For me, I'm really into art and creativity. It's the only thing that calms my adhd, depression, and ,anxiety all at the same time so I made a bullet journal for daily/monthly things. My motivation is "if I do this today I get to color." which helps me haha. So I basically treat myself like a toddler haha
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Bobert

1y

For me I take small steps. For example I started with making it a goal to brush my teeth once a day. Then when I got comfortable with that I started doing it twice a day.
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Eren2273

1y

I end up taking really long showers, which is a problem because of the water bill and us already being super tight on money 😥
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lolly23

1y

Particularly for the depression element I live by the saying "anything worth doing is worth half doing" so if I cant shower I will use a wet wipe to at least freshen up. If I cant brush my teeth I use mouth wash. If I cant get out of bed I at least stretch in bed. The ADD is difficult but I slowly build routines. Eg. I started with I brushed my teeth before going to sleep then I added washing my face on, then showering, etc
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BreathofAir

1y

Take baths!
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Sevyn0Sevyn

1y

My job holds me accountable since it's food related. Forces me to at least shower frequently. And I keep my deodorant and a fragrance by my keys so I make sure I put them on before I leave the house.
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angel715

1y

Tbh, I'm not consistent.. and I don't think you need to be. If you're able to shower every few days, that's great! If you don't have the executive function to brush your teeth one night, don't. You could even buy those tiny camping/travel toothbrushes(I think they're called whispies, but idk) and stash them next to your bed. Make it easy. You don't have to perform the task the "normal" way. You're allowed to do it an easier way, as long as the task gets done eventually(because your health matters🥺)
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Lonelyturtle

1y

This is going to be the dumbest answer but when I struggle having to take a shower… I pretend I’m doing a get ready with me vlog lmaooo
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Lonelyturtle

1y

It motivates me because it makes it fun rather than thinking of it as a chore
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kieanne

1y

for me pretending i’m making a tutorial video or actually making a tutorial video of me cleaning my room, how to properly wash your hair, how to do the dishes, etc. helps trick my mind into seeing it as a much simpler task than my mind is making it out to be 💗
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Lonelyturtle

1y

hahaha omg I commented the same thing! so funny that someone else does the same thing 😊 I feel like it’s a life hack haha

The content in this post is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

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