ClickCease

alternative therapies

ADHD and Me: Allowing Your Diagnosis To Help Or Hinder You

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*Disclaimer-I am not a Dr. nor a medical professional. All opinions expressed are entirely my own. Anything suggested in this message are not intended to diagnose, treat or cure. I worked with my health professional and so should you.

I've been on this path of investigating ADHD for about 7 years now. It started with me feeling extreme frustration with myself at my inability to "keep up and manage it all". I'd hit a tipping point in my life and there were a lot of little things that I did on a regular basis that I was just plain tired of doing. Things that slowed me down. Things that were exhausting. Things that I wondered if other people did. What was "normal"? I had no idea. Here is my journey for the 7 years that have followed.

After seeing a specialist and going through the evaluation process for ADHD, I was diagnosed ADHD Inattentive type. It honestly felt like a relief. I finally had an answer to my frustrations. The things that I did that didn't make sense to my husband, and that frustrated me, had a name. It was at least a place to start.

Now that I know what I'm dealing with, what's next?

As soon as I was diagnosed, the conversation with my Dr. turned to medications. It makes sense, medications are the primary method of treatment in the DSM-5 when one is diagnosed with ADHD.

I was open and curious and a little bit nervous. If meds helped me, I was all in. At the very least, I wanted a glimpse of what a "typical" day felt like in the life of someone that was not diagnosed with ADHD. In the past, I have had some uncomfortable reactions to medications and because of that, I rarely even take aspirin. This left me a little worried. What would meds do? How would I react to them? I was raised in a household that rarely used over the counter, let alone prescription medications. I was going to proceed with caution.

Because of my hesitancy with meds, I turned to Google to find out what else was available. I came upon ADHD Coaching and decided to find a coach. After searching terms like, "alternative treatments for ADHD", "ADHD in women", "what does Inattentive ADHD look like?", "ADHD Coaches Sacramento" and "natural therapies for ADHD", I decided a coach was my next step.

I found my coach, a local woman named Laurie Dupar (who just happens to be one of the best in the industry). She was not too far from me and I signed on for a 12-week package. I was all in.

Don't get me wrong, it was not inexpensive, and at the time I had no idea how I'd pay for it, but I was tired y'all. So, so, so ready for a change. After living for 40+ years with these lightweight struggles, I was going to shake things up and do something different, extravagant and for myself.

Coaching changed my life. I cannot say that enough. There were a few sessions that I remember thinking "I can't tell if anything is happening? I want her to give me more answers and tell me what to do differently." In her patient way, she did what she does best, coach. It was magical to me. Just having someone listen to me for 12 hours 1:1, that understood completely what I was experiencing was invaluable. I will be forever grateful to her.

Fast forward to now. I've formed some pretty strong opinions, not all of which will be popular.

It is my belief that like much of life, ADHD tendencies occur on a spectrum. Some of us are more severely affected than others. There are a few perspectives when looking at health, wellness, and wellbeing. If you are non-functioning in your everyday life, you should speak with your medical practitioner about testing, diagnosis, and treatment options available for ADHD.

For myself, while challenged by my "ADHD tendencies", for the most part, I am functioning in my everyday life. I've held down jobs. I've set goals and accomplished them (albeit with quite a bit of struggle at times). For me, a diagnosis of ADHD gave me context. It helped me to understand why I did some of the things that I did. For that I am grateful.

Personally, at this time, I've decided not to use medications as a treatment option. While I see that it is helpful for so many people, including some of my clients, the drawbacks outweighed the benefits, for me.

Once I decided to look at non-medication options, I decided if I'm not needing a prescription, it doesn't serve me to cling so tightly to the diagnosis. It was actually hindering me a bit. Because of my thoughts around what an ADHD diagnosis meant (for me).

I was thinking things like "of course this is harder for you, you have ADHD", or "you are always going to be time-challenged, you have ADHD", "organization will not be your thing, you know, you have that funky, fun brain wiring". I'm not denying any of those things, it just doesn't help me get to where I want to get to when I focus on them. Don't get me wrong, there are times when I totally embrace my ADHD. I know it is a large part of what makes me quirky, creative and kind. I'm thankful for the gift of it. But I don't want to let my mind tell myself that I am destined to repeat something that I want to change.

By seeing my attention challenges as a "tendency" rather than a sentencing, I am better able to move forward. Yes, I have ADHD, so what. Yes, things are at times more challenging, so what. What do I mean by so what?

So what NOW?! What's next? Where am I going from here?

Would love to hear your thoughts on this. Does your diagnosis help or hinder you? ~Shaun

 

 

What is a Life Coach and Why is it like Taking a Walk in the Forest?

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Psst, let's get going. Something beautiful is waiting just around the corner!

That's what coaching feels like to me. The opportunity to dig in and explore the areas of our mind that we don't pay much attention to. The place where all of our hopes and dreams and hurts and habits hideout. When you work with a coach, it feels like having a guide that walks beside you as you explore your inner thinking. Always encouraging you to look a little deeper, always asking questions out of curiosity. 

Happy 2018!!

I hope this message finds you motivated and ready to move into the new year in a new and better way. Growth is the name of the game. It's the guaranteed way to ensure that you are living your best life possible.

2017 was incredible for me. I worked with some truly amazing people as a coach and enjoyed seeing the huge results and wins that came out of that!

Coaching has the ability to do so much for us. For me personally, it helped to shape who I am today. 

It's helped me to: 

  • understand and see when I was ready to leave a job that was no longer serving me

  • move through the process of helping my dad downsize from a home, 60+ years worth of stuff and onto a boat (after 6 months of living with my husband and I.)

  • deal with the anxiety that I sometimes experience being the mom of two young adults, who now get to make their own decisions (I had no idea how much I liked to be in control!)

  • believe in myself enough to land a p/t job with one of my favorite podcasters! (I love a good side hustle)

In addition, I watched as coaching transformed the lives of my clients. I witnessed people transform into braver, newer versions of themselves.

In some of their words they:

...took an hour of coaching and translated it directly into picking up a brand new client the very same day! Where I had been feeling stuck, coaching helped by allowing me to verbally process, get out of my head and ask for the sale. It reminded me of my value, which increased my confidence in that moment.
Coaching helped me to better understand what Shaun refers to as ADHD Tendencies, revealing traits that I had experienced my entire life, but never fully understood. Shaun related to me in a way that only someone who has experienced some of the very same things could. Always encouraging, never judging.
My weekly sessions were instrumental in my accomplishment of so many of my goals this past year! I surprised myself with all that I had done by year-end.

If you have been considering coaching I want to invite you to schedule a free 15-minute consultation with me. 

Let me ask you, What would you most like to accomplish this year? What has always been a dream of yours that you'd like to make happen? What has held you back in the past? What have you tolerated for far too long? What is missing from your life? If you could improve one area of your life what would it be?

Coaching can help. I have proof. I've seen it work. I would love to talk to you.

 

Essential Oils Part II-Sneak Peek At My Week Using Essential Oils

What I personally love about essential oils (EOs) is that using them can be a very intuitive and creative process.  

What do I mean by that?

Each of us is created differently and as such our oil needs will be unique to us.  Without delving too deeply into the "hows" of EOs, I will say that EOs are truly the "life source" of the plant from which they are extracted. They are the highly concentrated oil from the plant, that is collected and bottled once it has gone through the distilling process.  Young Living Essential Oils has a Seed to Seal process that was a large part of why I decided to choose them as my oil supplier.  Each oil contains different chemical constituents, and when these chemical constituents interact with us at a sensory and cellular level we can feel better and our overall health efforts can be supported.  This is where the creativity and intuitiveness comes in.  

Many people are familiar with the scent of lavender and how it can be extremely calming and relaxing.  In fact, lavender is often used in spa environments for that very reason.  Many of us may also know that lemon is very fresh smelling and when mixed with vinegar or baking soda can offer itself as a great cleaning agent.  There is a reason most mouthwashes and toothpastes are peppermint flavored...You guessed it! It's fresh taste and scent helps to combat bad breath! Starting with this most basic of information, EOs can be used in a similar fashion.  

Certain oils are known for helping to support various systems of the body.  If for example, you are suffering from seasonal respiratory distress, combining lavender, lemon and peppermint in a diffuser can help support your overall respiratory system.  Should you have a sudden upset stomach or indigestion from that delicious spicy Thai food, Di-Gize, a blend of oils which contains Tarragon, Ginger, Peppermint, Fennel and Anise among other oils can help support your digestive system.  My daily question then becomes "which of my systems need the most support today"? To paint a picture of what this looks like for me, I'll give you an example of one of my days last week.

I actually "started" my day the night before by diffusing something relaxing, so that I could feel that sense of peace and relaxation while sleeping.  I used about 8 drops of Lavender oil and set my diffuser to the "intermittent" setting, so that it was on for 30 seconds and then off for 30 seconds for 7 hours, maximizing my oil by not running continuously through the night.  I love how my diffuser can run while I sleep and I can enjoy the scent unmonitored (unlike a candle).

When I woke up the next day (feeling mighty rested I must say), right off I drank a glass of warm water with 2 drops of *Lemon Vitality Oil in it.  So refreshing and a great eye opener.  

*Fun Fact* -Lemon Oil is made from the rind of the lemon rather than the pulp (which is used to make lemon juice). It takes about 75 lemons to make enough for one 15 ml bottle of Lemon Essential Oil. This is why one drop of Lemon essential oil is so concentrated and full of goodness.

*Young Living Vitality Oils are Generally Regarded as Safe for consumption and are labeled as such.

I then brushed my teeth with 1 drop of Thieves Vitality oil dropped right on top of my toothpaste. It not only gives my toothpaste a spicy kick (think cinnamon and cloves) but it is a great way to support my gum health!

Before I started working, I moved a load of laundry from the washer to the dryer and guess what-I no longer use Bounce sheets! Instead, I take a damp washcloth, add about 3-4 drops of Purification Oil (both of my kids favorite scent) and toss it into the dryer with the clothes.  The laundry comes out smelling amazing (think Lemongrass, Rosemary, Tea Tree, Myrtle, Citronella and Lavender)! *Side note-While we love the scent of Purification Blend, bugs not so much! You can apply this bad boy right to your skin and then head outdoors for a hike or bike ride.  The oils help support the bug deterrent system! (Not sure if that is a thing?! But you know what I mean)

Time to get down to business! I had computer work time and two coaching appointments on the agenda.  I put Lemon and Peppermint in my diffuser (6 drops of each) to put a little energetic pep in my step and dove head first into the rest of the day.

I went to lunch with my dad and when we got back, my Great Dane Miso had consumed most of the contents of the kitchen trash can.  This is a rare occurrence these days, after 6 years we have gotten pretty good at making sure the garbage lid is locked and the counters are cleared of enticing foods when we leave.  Not today.  There were remnants of corn on the cob, chicken scraps, you name it she consumed it...and the aftermath was not good.  Poor thing had an upset tummy that night-apparent by her pouting, laying very still and vomiting (more than once). I combined 2 drops of Di-Gize with Apricot Seed Oil and applied it to her tummy.  Let me tell you, a sick Great Dane is no fun.  

Later that night after dinner, hubs and I went for a walk in the neighborhood.  I had seen blossoms starting to form on the trees earlier in the day, and knowing how I can often experience some seasonal respiratory discomfort, I added a 2 drops each of lemon, lavender and peppermint oil to my water (in a glass bottle as the oils can disintegrate plastic) and off we went. 

I could go on and on about the many ways that I am using my oils. About how each day I am discovering something new.  (Peppermint brownies anyone?!) I love that every time I find a new way to use them, I am supporting my wellness baseline in some way.  I am making one small change for the better.

A few things to note-does everyday go like this? Not at all.  In fact since every day is different, so are the oils that I use.  Some days I use more, some days I use less.  They have become my "go to" because in each of the scenarios mentioned above, I could turn to synthetic products to support the same things and I figure if there's a natural way to support myself I want to try that first.  We are already exposed to so many chemicals and substances that don't benefit us, why add to it? Feel free to browse around my Young Living Essential Oils page and research for yourself some of the types of products that are available. 

I have learned so much through my process of researching oils and would love to answer any questions that you may have.  I'm available via phone anytime, click the button below to chat about oils! What are you curious about?