Many of my friends are bachelors, and I notice that we often fail to do basic self-care:<\/p>\n
1. Medical upkeep<\/p>\n
Skipping regular dental cleanings and eye exams.<\/p>\n
Ignoring annual physicals and bloodwork.<\/p>\n
Neglecting skin care and sunscreen (leading to early damage).<\/p>\n
Poor posture or untreated back pain from desk work or gaming setups.<\/p>\n
2. Nutrition and hydration<\/p>\n
Overreliance on takeout, frozen meals, or skipping meals entirely.<\/p>\n
Low water intake, high caffeine or alcohol intake.<\/p>\n
Not keeping basic healthy groceries stocked (fruits, vegetables, protein staples).<\/p>\n
3. Hygiene and grooming<\/p>\n
Inconsistent laundry and sheet changes.<\/p>\n
Forgetting to replace toothbrushes, razors, deodorant, or towels.<\/p>\n
Skipping skincare basics (washing face, moisturizer, sunscreen).<\/p>\n
Not maintaining nail or foot care.<\/p>\n
4. Environment and organization<\/p>\n
Letting clutter accumulate (especially dishes, trash, or laundry piles).<\/p>\n
Ignoring deep cleaning (bathroom, fridge, vacuuming).<\/p>\n
Poor lighting or air quality\u2014never replacing filters, neglecting plants.<\/p>\n
5. Sleep and rest<\/p>\n
Inconsistent bedtime, blue light exposure, or all-nighters.<\/p>\n
Using the bed for screens or work, disrupting rest quality.<\/p>\n
Lack of a real nighttime wind-down routine.<\/p>\n
6. Mental and emotional maintenance<\/p>\n
No routine for reflection, journaling, therapy, or decompressing.<\/p>\n
Limited social contact\u2014too much isolation or surface-level interaction.<\/p>\n
Ignoring stress or burnout until it erupts.<\/p>\n
7. Physical movement<\/p>\n
Little structured exercise beyond daily tasks.<\/p>\n
No stretching, mobility, or posture work.<\/p>\n
Letting minor injuries linger untreated.<\/p>\n
8. Administrative life-management<\/p>\n
Avoiding financial planning, taxes, or bill organization.<\/p>\n
Forgetting appointments or deadlines due to no system.<\/p>\n
No backup plans or emergency prep (contacts, savings, first aid).<\/p>\n
I also notice that lack of basic self-care is a common, though not universal, trait among people with ADHD. It usually stems from executive dysfunction, not laziness or lack of awareness. Here\u2019s how it connects:<\/p>\n
1. Task initiation and sequencing:<\/p>\n
Starting and following through on small, repetitive tasks\u2014showering, brushing teeth, cooking, cleaning\u2014requires planning and switching attention. ADHD brains struggle with that sequencing.<\/p>\n
2. Time blindness and prioritization:<\/p>\n
Many people with ADHD underestimate how long self-care tasks take or view them as low priority compared to more urgent or stimulating tasks. This leads to chronic neglect of routines.<\/p>\n
3. Motivation regulation:<\/p>\n
ADHD involves impaired dopamine regulation. Tasks without immediate reward feel almost impossible to start, even when the person wants to do them.<\/p>\n
4. Working memory overload:<\/p>\n
Forgetting whether you did something (\u201cDid I take my meds?\u201d \u201cDid I eat?\u201d) can interrupt consistency in daily care.<\/p>\n
5. Emotional regulation:<\/p>\n
Stress, shame, or perfectionism can amplify avoidance\u2014especially if someone associates basic tasks with failure or judgment.<\/p>\n
When treated (through behavioral strategies, medication, or coaching), people often find their ability to manage self-care improves dramatically\u2014not because they suddenly \u201ccare more,\u201d but because their brain\u2019s regulation systems start working with them instead of against them.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Many of my friends are bachelors, and I notice that we often fail to do basic self-care: 1. Medical upkeep Skipping regular dental cleanings and eye exams. Ignoring annual physicals and bloodwork. Neglecting skin care and sunscreen (leading to early … Continue reading