Adult ADHDParenting ADHD ChildrenADHD TreatmentADHD and Learning DisabilitiesAttention Deficit
PrintEmailDiscuss 7 COMMENTS!RSS

Wake Up Happier & Faster: Morning Help for ADD Adults

Strategies -- and gadgets -- for helping ADHD adults get out of bed faster and happier.

 
Do's and Don'ts for a Better Night's Sleep ADDitude Magazine

If you're an adult with attention deficit disorder, the last thing you need each morning is more undue stress. So cut down on your anxiety levels and stick to your schedule with help from these ADHD-friendly gadgets and expert strategies.

Are you jarred awake by a blaring alarm clock?
Perhaps you should switch to a clock-radio tuned to an all-music station. If you need a little revving up, select a station that plays lively, upbeat music. If you prefer something calming, you might pick a classical or easy-listening station. Just be sure the volume is set loud enough to awaken you.

Continue listening to the music as you go about your routine...
...or switch off the radio and savor the silence. Stress-inducing traffic reports can wait until after you're out the door.

Plug your bedside lamp into a timer set to go off at the appropriate time...
...and let yourself be awakened by the light. Or invest in a "dawn-simulating" alarm clock, such as the EZ Wake SunRise Clock ($78.95 from Light Therapy Products).

Consider subscribing to a telephone wake-up service...
...such as WakeUpLand (wakeupland.com). For $11 a month, the service will call you each morning at the designated time. A one-time wake-up call costs just $1.95. Few people can sleep through a ringing telephone!

Learn more about high-tech timers that can help you stay on task during your morning routine...

7 Comments:

  • Posted by hodgehamps - Nov 6 2009 @ 11:24 AM
    Alarm help
    In college I figured out a trick. If I put my alarm across the room I had to get out of bed to turn it off. My alarm has the accelerating function as well, starts out quiet and gets louder, and is quite annoying! Now as a mom and wife I still set it across the room that way I have to get up b/c we all know that is the problem is getting out of bed! If I don't wake up to the alarm I won't want to get up. If my 4 y/o decides its time to wake up and didn't set the alarm I will lay in bed forever. Hope this helps someone! I know it has me!
  • Posted by downhom - Aug 13 2009 @ 10:49 PM
    Increasing Volume Alarm Clock
    I personally hate loud noises. I finally found my favorite clock. It has an alarm that starts out quiet and gradually gets louder. I normally turn it off before it get's loud.
  • Posted by JackieTKD - Feb 19 2009 @ 10:48 PM
    Tip: The phone must be in another room !
    Having the phone in another room means I HAVE to get vertical and walk over to it. :)
  • Posted by verle - Jan 22 2008 @ 2:19 PM
    Getting to bed early
    Trying to set your mind to get early sleep always helps for me. Not enough sleep makes it harder to get up and puts you in the moody attitude. Plus I to set my alarm ahead, about half an hour ahead because I know I can take my time getting up in the morning, not like a fire cracker. I hate to be late, and if I can prevent that than so be it. I know if I get to bed early the next day will be refreshing.
  • Posted by Drea Fisher - Oct 21 2007 @ 6:38 PM
    Yahoo Widgets
    Yahoo Widgets has an ITunes Multi-alarm Clock for the Computer that will wake you up to your favorite music. The best part is its FREE.
  • Posted by Rayna Thompson - Oct 10 2007 @ 11:05 AM
    Using your cell phone
    I use both the alarm clock feature on my cell phone and it's calendar reminder alarms. I recharge it each night next to the bed, thereby remembering to set the alarm clock. A calendar alarm set a few minutes later than that reminds me of WHY I have to get up at that time. This dual strategy works great during the day also. I use the calendar's reminder feature to help me transition before scheduled appointments. For example, a calendar reminder alarm 1 hour before a doctor appointment means leave the house in the next 10 minutes. Then I use the alarm clock to designate transition times throughout the day for routine tasks.
  • Posted by Kevin M Jones - May 8 2007 @ 7:55 PM
    ADDitional Idea
    Wake up to whatever YOU like -- many alarm clocks now feature an option to connect your iPod or other mp3 player to the alarm function, and you can be your own morning DJ.
Join ADDitude or log in now to add your comments.
ADDitude DirectoryFind Professionals
Find Schools and Camps
Find Products
Related Forums
Related Content
Free Newsletter
Free Gift with Sign Up
Adult ADHD
Managing your time, money, career & relationships
Success at School
Keep kids learning! Tips for parents and teachers
Parenting ADD/LD Kids
Strategies for behavior, nutrition, friends & more
 
Copyright © 1998 - 2007 New Hope Media LLC. All rights reserved. Your use of this site is governed by our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
ADDitude does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The material on this web site is provided for educational purposes only. See additional information.
New Hope Media, 39 W. 37th Street, 15th Floor, New York, NY 10018