#neurodivergent tips

[tunaricebowl]

i don’t know which autistic/adhd/any kind of neurodivergent person needs to hear this but: make a “just in case” bag

this is a pic of mine. it contains:

loop earplugs on the zipper

prescription glasses with a clip on sunglasses attachment

my public transport discount card

a pen

a glasses cloth + wet glasses wipes (which can also be used to clean my hands if needed!

wireless earbuds in case my headphones give out

tips for my apple pencil + silicon covers if i need a different texture/the sound is too loud

a sanitary pad (not for me, as i had a hysterectomy, but i like carrying one around for my menstruating friends)

a pouch with hair ties for when my hair bothers me

autism lanyard (not pictured, as i put it in after i took it)

will i use these every day? not necessarily. but it’s good to have these all in one place in a little pouch so it’s easy to throw into my bag as i use different ones for different occasions. that way i don’t have to think about all these things individually.

it might seem like common sense for some people, but i didn’t think of this until recently. so i wanted to share this in case it could be handy for other people. some more ideas for what to put in your bag under the break. you can make this as big or as small as you like so some ideas may seem a bit big

powerbank + cables (preferably a powerbank that has a LOT of charge)

snacks (do keep an eye on the expiration date)

painkillers/emergency meds (same thing about the expiration date)

sewing kit

deodorant/perfume

mini fan

hand warmers

scissors/nail clippers (for when tags/threads/your nails are bothering you)

tweezers

lucky charm (i have my lucky cat keychain. it just calms me to have)

plushie/stress ball/fidget toy

mints/a mini toothbrush and toothpaste

extra pair of underwear (for if you suddenly need to stay somewhere overnight or if an accident happens)

comb

band-aids + disinfectant

hand cream/soothing cream

soap/soap leaves

similarly, some mini shampoo or mini body wash (again for if you suddenly need to stay the night. there’s probably already some wherever you’re staying but again. this is a just in case bag)

q-tips

chapstick

makeup remover wipes

razors

hand sanitizer/general sanitizer

wet wipes/tissues

foldable bag

ruler/tape measure

this is a lot but keep in mind, these are just ideas. you don’t have to use everything, just pick out which things you think would be handy for you and make your bag accordingly. do feel free to add onto the list if you have any other ideas.

[brain-n-body-in-disarray]

What the h*ll is "basic hygiene" anyway?

If you're like me, you've been struggling with hygiene for a long time. I'm neurodivergent, I have chronic fatigue and chronic pain, so yeah, it's been hard, my whole life.

Here's a few tips that helped me or some of my friends.

1. Redefine "basic hygiene"

No, really. Redefine it. Neurotypical and able-bodied people will tell you all can of things about what is "basic" hygiene.

The rule is: do what you can. That's it. The rest of the post will be tips to increase what you can do. But in the meantime, just do your best. You're fantastic the way you are.

2. Time

There's two thing here.

The first is: find the right time for you. It's not always easy, because we often have obligations, and we're supposed to be clean at those right moments. It's not easy. Sometimes it "helps" because it gives us that "boost" we needed to start getting clean, but most of the time it's just stressful. So instead find the moment that works best for you. I know there's moments in the day when it'll be easier for me to start tasks that I would struggle with at an other time, but I prioritise other things instead for a reason or another. Try washing yourself then, even if people will tell you it's strange to have a shower at three pm. Who cares.

The second is: divide to conquer. You don't have to wash ALL the parts of your body at once. You don't necessarily have the energy for it and it's okay. Also it can feel daunting to face that long list of steps. A body has a LOT of parts to wash and clean. Really, that's scary and exhausting. So the solution might be to do smaller things here and there. Do what you can when you can, that's okay. At least you've done something, that's great!

You are also allowed to take breaks in the middle. It can help if you are tired, or if it makes you anxious.

3. Wipes.

I personally hate washing with soap and water, whether it's a bath, shower or just at the sink. It takes time, it's a lot of steps, and it feels horrible. I do it when I can, but I don't enjoy it. The partial solution is wipes.

Baby wipes are great, they're soft, some smell good but faint, some has no odor. You can clean yourself quickly without rinsing. And they don't let that terrible feeling on your skin.

There's wipes made for your private parts. Which is an important part to clean. Also wet toilet paper is good. (For private parts wipes, buy the organic ones, you don't want anything too harsh there)

Make-up removal wipes are not just to remove make-up. They do clean you face.

Don't use antibacterial wipes though. At least not regularly. They are too harsh for your skin, you'll just damage it. Also too much antibacterial stuffs just make bacterias more resistant.

Bonus point: wipes can easily be carried in a bag. Handy.

4. Charts and lists and apps.

Whether you forget to do it or it you have done it already, or you can't get motivated, or you can't manage to start washing, or there's so many steps you get overwhelmed, or you start but can't remember what to do next, etc., those tips might help.

There's apps like Habitica (it's the most well known but there's others) that help you building habits and remembering to do stuffs and making it fun (help with rewards). It's about general tasks but can be applied to washing. A friend also told me there's a pokemon app to brush your teeth but I haven't tried it.

If you get overwhelmed by the steps and get lost in the middle, making a list of those steps, laminating and putting it in the bathroom near the sink or in the shower can help you keeping tracks. You can even put a dry erase marker near the list to check what have already be done.

5. The "bath buddy"

If you live with someone, you can ask their help.

I'm not saying they have to wash you. Or maybe I am? A friend takes his showers with his boyfriend to help getting motivated.

It can just be your platonic roommate behind the door talking to you, telling you funny stories.

Having company can help start the task and make it more enjoyable which help in itself but also make it less daunting the next times. Having a bath buddy also helps if you get lost in the middle of a task, they can tell you what the next step is. They can also keep you on tracks and in the present (I know I tend to dissociate a lot in the bathroom). And they keep your mind off the bad stuffs (body dysphoria for example, or sensory discomfort)

6. You're never too old for "kids' stuffs"

Because you're never to old for fun stuffs.

No, really, there's no reason why you should deprive yourself of something that would make washing more fun.

Wash your teeth with bubblegum flavored toothpaste.

Play with bathtoys. Buy those little plastic boats and those little squirting animals. (Seriously, the fact that the only fun thing for bath for adult is bubbles is a crime)

The word here is "fun". Make the bathroom fun. Buy a shower curtain with cute elephants playing with water. Put adhesive ducks on the tiles. Make that darn room a place you want to be in, not just to distract you from the bad stuff but to enjoy your life.

7. Teeth. Oh no, the teeth.

First thing: as I said, you don't have to use that "adult toothpaste". The menthol contained in it can be sensory hell. You can use kid toothpaste, it cleans just as well. If you can't use any toothpaste try brushing without it with just water. You can also try toothpaste tablets (you chew on them and then brush). You can try mouthwash. You can try oil-pulling. The point here is to remove some bacteria from your mouth.

About brushing. There's different hardness in toothbrushes. If you're using hard, try medium. If you're using medium, try soft. If you're using soft, try baby toothbrush. If no toothbrush works for you, try a wet cloth, or your finger. Try using toothpicks to remove the remains of food and then use mouthwash.

If the storebought mouthwash doesn't do with you, make it yourself. There's recipes online with essential oils (optional, but maybe there's one you might like), baking soda and water. (I don't recommend using lemon juice, it might damage your enamel.)

My friend just told me I should mention dental floss. I personally hate it, but it might be useful to some of you. It's probably more effective than toothpicks. They also comes mounted on these little plastic sticks if you struggle with the thread alone.

8. Chair

No, really, you have the right to sit down during washing. Buy a shower chair. Put a bench on your bathtub instead of struggling to stand up. Put a chair in front of the sink to sit when you brush your teeth.

You don't have to be physically disabled to use a chair to wash. And if you're disabled there's still no shame. Standing up can be boring, it can be painful, it can be tiring. So sit. You are allowed.

And if you prefer standing, do. You can pace. You can dance. You can do gymnastics. (Just be careful if you're brushing your teeth, okay. Or if you're in the shower. Don't hurt yourself.)

9. Music

If you don't have a buddy to talk to you, music or even podcasts, anything to listen to, can be a nice way to help. They makes the experience more enjoyable. They keeps your head away from the bad sensory experience or the awareness of your own body.

I also find using the same playlist useful to keep track of the time I've been spending in the shower. I even time the steps on the tracklist, I know I washed that part of my body for long enough if that song is over, I need to do the next step.

Also, for me me music is part of the ritual. It helps me to get in the right mind, it motivates me, it makes the routine.

10. Multi-purpose products.

I've seen all those beauty posts about "layering". It's nice if you have the energy and the time, but no, it's not for me.

I hate moisturising creams. I really do. They smells funny, they feels gross and sticky, and it takes forever to apply. It's an unnecessary step for me. But I have dry skin (at least on my body). The easy solution is to use surgras soap or surgras shower gel. (Not just the "moisturising" soap, that won't hydrate as well.)

I don't just remove the unpleasant experience of moisturiser, I remove a step. I save energy.

Also, multi-purpose products help with organisation, there's less things to think about. There's less risk of taking the wrong bottle because you're too headfogged. Less chance of chaos in the bathroom.

I personally can't do that for everything. I'd like to have one soap for everything, but my body skin and my face skin and my private parts and my hair all need different stuffs. But I do try to keep things to a minimum, because the number of products can be quickly overwhelming. So try to balance your sensory needs with your organisation problem.

(Also, if like me you hate the feeling of moisturiser, aloe vera gel is great. It is a bit sticky, but in a different way than cream. I personally prefer that one. There's also the option of oil, there's different kinds for different skin types, even for oily skin.)

11. Japaneses know best: the bidet.

This one might sounds strange for some folx. Where I live, bidets used to be extremely common but they are disappearing. We used to have a bidet next to the toilets in our homes. Japanese toilets have a built-in bidet but they are expensive. There is a cheaper (but still not cheap) alternative. You can buy a bidet toilet seat attachment to put on your own toilets.

Why am I telling you about bidet? Because when you struggle to wash regularly, bidets are incredibly useful.

Toilet paper is highly unhygienic. Wet toilet paper is a bit better. Bidets, that spray a jet of water on your privates, clean so much better.

And they are easy and quick to use. You just press a button and you are clean.

If you have a vagina, it's even more important, because it lowers significantly the risks of getting UTI and the likes.

If you can afford it, I recommend it.

12. The hat, or "well, f*ck it"

You can fail to wash in time for whatever obligation you have. That's okay.

Just use the card "camouflage".

Greasy hair? If they are long, brush them and tie them tightly, and put on a fashionable hat. Or you favorite, silly, hat. Or just a random hat that your aunt gave you (you know the one, you wondered for three weeks if you smiled enough when you received the gift because you didn't want to offend her). Scarfs are nice too.

Other idea to hide greasy hair? A wig. They are higher maintenance, but they are good to have for occasions where you have to look a bit better or if you can't wear a hat for whatever reason.

About odors... Well you know the trick of deodorants and perfume. Not what I recommend, at least not alone. For once not everyone can stand their smell. Also, they aren't that great to succeed at masking odors. If you can, use wipes to clean your armpits (also the underbreasts if you have them) and the neck and chest area. It might not remove all the odors but it'll help and with some deodorant if you can stand it, you should be good.

About deodorant: you can use a dollop of moisturiser (yes, I know I said I hate them, but listen), it will help to stop the formation of odors but the fragrance is usually mild or absent. It's also less harsh than the usual deodorant. You only need a small amount for it to work. You just need to clean before (wipes should be enough)

13. Don't stew in your dirty clothes.

Try to change your clothes often even if you don't wash. Especially your underwears.

I know it might sound counterintuitive to wear clean clothes when your skin is dirty, but staying in old clothes is like wearing a petri dish. By keeping the same clothes on you, you also keep the bacterias that live on it and your body.

It's especially bad in some areas, like your private parts, your feet and your armpits.

If you live alone, or if you live with someone who don't care, don't put clothes on at all. You'll just stew in your bacterial crock pot otherwise.

Staying naked also has the upside of reducing the amount of laundry you have to do.

14. Use your strengths.

Sometimes it's as simple as using your other hand because your dominant one is achy.

Sometimes it's listening to a podcast about your special interest.

You're an artist? Put a whiteboard in the shower. Or, I don't know, draw your body, laminate the drawing, and color the parts you have already washed with a dry erase marker.

Your thing is to make lists of animals of Paraguay? Recite them alphabetically and make a song with them while you brush your teeth and wash your face and clip you nails.

Dancers here? Each movement you make is part of a choreography.

15. Aftercare.

Hygiene is immensely stressful and energy consuming. You don't just deserve a reward, you need aftercare.

It's okay to take a nap. It's okay to need to engage with your special interest. It's okay to need a hug. It's okay to want to be alone. It's okay to feel bad too. Have a cry. Be moody. Don't be ashamed of what you feel. Of course it's better if you manage to avoid these emotions. But it's okay if you have them.

And give yourself a little treat. Have a cup of your favorite tea. Put a shiny sticker in your "things I've done good today" diary. Cuddle with your pet. Read the Swedish dictionary.

Drink a glass of water and eat something.

Also, if you have chronic pain, like I do, take your meds. (My joints are always a bit achy after standing too long, or my shoulder are stiff after washing my hair)

Write an essay about why keeping up with your hygiene is a pain.

Do what you want and do what you need.

16. Shame has no place in the bathroom.

If you've read my previous post, you know what I mean.

I've said it in this post, it's okay to struggle, to not be perfect, or as perfect as neurotypicals and able-bodied people say we should be. Their criterias are bullcrap.

Shame won't help you to keep up to these unachievable standards. They'll just undermine you.

Also, it's okay if some of what I've said here seems unachievable also. I shared what helps me and some of my friends, but your needs might be different and that's totally okay. Maybe someone will make a post with tips that'll help more? I hope so.

Anyway, you do what you can and you congratulate yourself for it. Every step is an achievement worth of praise.

[willtheweirdrat]

Hydration tip for people with ADHD (and other neurodivergent/disabled folks)

Always keep a jug of water in your room. Often, I forget to drink water, don't feel thirst, or feel too tired to go downstairs. But if it's always in proximity, it becomes 10x easier to stay hydrated. So, when I'm feeling alright I go downstairs and get a giant ass jug of water, bring it upstairs and keep drinking it until it's empty.

[lazyasriel]

my partner and I both love doing bits but are also both extremely neurodivergent so don't always realise that the other person is not being serious so we've developed a system so no one gets offended when we randomly start fake arguments (we almost never argue seriously)

the person starting the bit will call ACTION (it has to be loudly like a director would) to let the other person know and as soon as someone starts to feel uncomfortable or wants to be serious again they can call CUT

in between those calls we just yes-and each other for as long as we can like we're an improv duo

10/10 would recommend to all my fellow neurodivergent folks

[what-if-i-just-did]

Idk who needs to hear this but... you're allowed to make things easier for yourself. You're allowed to half-ass things. You don't have to do things the way you're 'supposed' to. Yeah, you should be doing everything completely, but if you can't do that, then doing some things partly is still better than doing totally nothing.

You can sit down while doing the dishes. You can have wash baskets and trash cans in every room in your house. You can brush your teeth for twenty seconds. You can buy kiddie tooth paste. You can brush your teeth at any time of day. You can get yourself a rubber duck. You can get yourself a huge IKEA shark if you want to. You can leave the curtains closed and your bed unmade. You can shower at any temperature that's comfortable to you. You can shower with the lights off. You can shower long. You can shower short. You can cover the mirrors. You can shower in bathing clothes. You can even shower in normal clothes if it'll make you feel better. You can shower without soap. You can just use soap on the places that need it most. If touching any one part of yourself triggers you, you don't have to wash it. You can sit down while you shower. You can wear the same clothes for a week. You can decide your outfits days before you wear them. You don't have to brush your hair. You don't have to take off your shoes at the door. You can rip out the tags of new clothes.

You can add and remove whatever it is that'll make things easier and less triggering for you, even if it seems silly. Even if it only helps a little. Even if you 'should be doing it better'. You don't owe people as much as you think you do. You don't owe anyone your prettiness, your dedication. Having a mental illness or a disability is hard. Most people don't understand that, but guess what? You don't owe them an explanation. You don't have to conform to neurotypical standards of 'good'. Your depression standard of 'good enough' is allowed to be less than that.

Seeing as this got more attention than I thougght it would, I need to add; I know there's other factors. I know you can't always afford to get yourself a huge IKEA shark, I know you don't always have time to shower for forty minutes, I know sometimes you get less tips/work if you don't look pretty. The point here isn't the details, it's the mindset of the fact that the details don't matter. A job doesn't always have to be well-done, in fact, a half-done job gets you half the way there.

(I wrote this with neurodivergent/mentally ill people in mind, but a lot of this also goes for disabled people so I'll also tag that. If that's like, ableist, in any way, please tell me and I'll fix it!!! I just wanna be helpful but I know that that doesn't always mean I am)

[dailydivergent]

Please just use this as inspiration, not reference to compare yourself.

In order to feel fulfilled, I need certain amounts of the following every day:

socializing w/ other neurodivergent people

reading about new topics

Minecraft

writing time

buffer time between tasks

These are non-negotiable for me.

Yes, even Minecraft.

Next time you're getting down on yourself about not doing "what I need to do" — try to consider if what you're doing right now is exactly what you need to be doing.

Because for me, Minecraft is a necessity.

[growandrecover]

struggling to get through school?

Hi! I feel like it's been forever since I posted something, but I'm back! Lately, I've been struggling with my ed and school, and both are affecting the other. If you're dealing with the same thing, or something similar, you're not alone. Here are some things that may help :) Also- the first one is kind of related to restrictive eds. If you're experiencing a lack of energy not having to do with your food intake, I suggest that you either see a doctor or mental health professional.

Make sure you're eating enough protein. If you're not eating enough food as it is, you may feel like you can't focus as well, or you simply don't have the energy to study, do your work, or go to school, which is understandable. But please listen to me when I say protein is extremely important. According to Harvard, to calculate how much protein you need in a day, multiply your weight (in pounds) by 0.36. Here is the link to the article, which has a calculator you can use .

If you're worried about your grades, talk to your teachers/professors. Not all professors are the same, but if you're honest with them and spell out what's been going on (as much as you're comfortable with, of course), they may be able to help you, give you an extension, or some advice on their class.

Find study techniques that work for you. Not everyone has the same learning style, and not all methods of studying will work for you. I advise that you first find out what your learning style is if you don't already know. Then, you can research what may work for you as that kind of learner. However, if you have something else going on, that may not be enough. For example, I have adhd and have a hard time getting started with my work and staying motivated. Something like getting a planner, which may work for someone else, just doesn't cut it for me. Instead, I like to use asmr pomodoros and rewards for myself when I finish a certain amount of work, like doing something I've been wanting to do or watching a movie.

If you have trouble asking for help, like I do, I know it can be scary to send an email to your teacher, ask a friend, or even raise your hand in class to ask a question. But trust me, my grades started improving as soon as I did this. I know some of you may be thinking that your teacher will judge you, or your classmates will, but teaching is their job. They want students to ask questions, that's what they're there for. Your classmates could actually be wondering the same thing, they just might be too nervous to ask.

Try your best not to procrastinate. I know, I know. But hear me out. Procrastinating causes last minute stress and most likely isn't your best work. I'm not trying to call you out, because I do this too. But as I've gotten older, and been through years of school, I've learned that I hate the looming feeling of having an assignment due the next day and not having started on it yet. Your grades will be affected by not procrastinating, as you'll have had more time to study, do your work, and go over anything you need.

If you need someone to talk to, or have any questions, please don't be scared to send me a message or an ask, I'm here to help <3

(If I think of anything else, I'll make a part 2)

[quotidian-oblivion]

NEW WRITING TIP

Play background white noise (I listen to rain sounds) on full volume, put on a short edit/song/chorus that matches the vibes of what you're writing, have your wip open and write and pop over to the edit when you get stuck, rinse repeat.

I am having the time of my life.

[tunaricebowl]

another autism tip for anyone who might find it useful: make earrings out of your loop earplugs!

earplugs/earbuds like these tend to fall out for me no matter what size i wear. (that’s why i have “wired” wireless earbuds too lol) so if they’re attached to my ears, i can’t lose them! not only that, but it makes it easier for me to take them on and off as needed without having to put them back into the case every time. yes you can get that loop link thing but. €20? for that? this is way cheaper and way more fashionable

[sqvaredpaper]

02/01/2024

Tried studying...

For some reason, my brain has not kicked into gear yet. I stared at a screen of notes and struggled to read them without getting distracted, then I went down a rabbit hole of digital flashcard websites...

Any tips from people on how to stay focused? (If it helps, I'm pretty sure I'm neurodivergent so any neurodivergency-specific tips would be appreciated)

In other news I made some absolutely bangin mini lemon drizzle loaf cakes today!!

[neurodivergent-studyblr]

Recent Realizations - How To Keep My Room Clean With Executive Dysfunction:

(A lot of these probably seem kind of obvious, but they helped me, so I figured maybe they would help someone else.

The dirty laundry does not go on top of the basket, or next to the basket. It gets shoved in, all the way. If not, it will fall out, and cause me stress every time I see it, but not enough stress to fix it.

It doesn't matter how the closet looks, as long as the door stays closed. It must be closed at all times, unless I am actively getting something out of the closet.

Every pillow, blanket, sheet, pillow, pillowcase, stuffed animal, or anything else of the sort goes on the bed. I hate making my bed, and I hate sleeping in a made bed, so I pile everything into a large, comfy pile, and that works really well for me.

Opening my window blinds in the morning must be a task on my daily to-do list, or it will not get done, and I will spend the day in darkness, which is bad for the plants on my desk. So, I have "open the blinds" as the first thing on my to-do list.

Listen. I have hyper-empathy. I get emotionally attached to tiny dead plants or weeds that I find on the ground. It happens. Solution? I stick them in the pot of the fake plant on my dresser. I don't know how good an idea this is long-term, but it's worked for me so far.

Speaking of plants. I keep a plastic water bottle on my desk at all times for the purpose of watering my desk plants. Without the combination of that easy access, and my phone reminders, my plants would be dead. When the water bottle is empty, I fill it back up in the sink. Do I always remember to do this? No. Do I remember far more than I would if it wasn't on my desk? Yes.

And that reminds me. My newly discovered golden rule for being somewhat functional: out of sight means out of mind. Granted, sometimes in sight also means out of mind. But being able to see something increases the chances of me thinking about it by 300%. (I made up that number. Just take my word for it.) This means that any work I plan on doing in the foreseeable future needs to be somewhere I can see it.

The dresser drawers should be closed. I hate it when people tell me that. I hate it even more when they have a point. But, it makes the room look neat, and a neat room makes me feel productive, and feeling productive provides the illusion of being productive, and being productive makes the happy chemicals in my brain go off. So, the drawers get closed.

Finally, it literally does not matter how disastrous my desk looks to other people. If the organization makes sense to me, if it makes me feel productive and happy, and if I like working at it, it has succeeded at being a desk. Congratulations, desk.

I was kind of proud of myself for figuring these out, and having a nice-looking room for the first time in a while.

[dailydivergent]

A neurodivergent approach for how to show up for your friends:

Setting weekly dates with my closest friends (like right now. ask them for weekly calls, gaming, etc.)

Setting a weekly calendar task to call all my friends—attached to a timer.

Putting my friends’ appointments in my calendar as soon as they tell me about it so I remember to follow-up with them—attached to a timer

Adding important holidays a week before the actual event, so I get them something—attached to a timer

Rather than blame myself for being a forgetful little fuck, I work with it and get the rewards of friendship: connection, emotional security, and pride in myself.

[skyler10fic]

We don't talk enough about food as a sensory delight

We talk a lot about food sensory aversions, but tonight I want to give it up for food that makes us happy stim.

For me, so much happiness in life can come from a carb, a dairy/dairy substitute product, and fruit.

Crackers, cheese, and grapes? Cake with raspberries and whipped cream? Peach cobbler with vanilla ice cream! Strawberries, yogurt, and granola. Dole whip with a wafer cookie. Watermelon, feta, and potato chips! Blueberries, bananas, and (plant) milk smoothie with a breakfast bar. Apples, popcorn, and a mozzarella cheese stick. Key lime pie! Lemon cookies! Mandarin oranges and a grilled cheese sandwich. There's so many options.

If you're ever stuck on what to eat, try a fruit you love (frozen, fresh, whatever), a dairy(-like) product you can digest well, and a type of carb that pairs well with them.

[growandrecover]

OCD and hand washing

Since cold and flu (and covid) season is approaching, I thought I'd make a post about obsessive hand washing because it's something I've been struggling with for years. So here are some thing you can do to protect your hands and maybe lower the amount of compulsions surrounding cleaning/washing if you can.

If your hands are not currently split open or raw, buy or use some cream that's thick and fit for dry, sensitive skin. My favorite is Cetaphil's Moisturizing Cream for very dry to dry, sensitive skin. However, it's a bit expensive, so I've been using Equate Therapeutic Dry Skin Cream. (From my experience the creams are thicker and make my hands feel better, but they come in jars, so if you have a fear or compulsion about not wanting to put your hands in your products, they have tubes and bottles out there)

If your hands are split open or raw, please don't use lotion or cream on them! Trust me, it'll burn. A few years ago, I looked up remedies, and I found that olive oil doesn't burn and does the trick! So when my hands were split, for the first day or two, I'd put olive oil on a few times a day, and then after they healed a little bit, I'd move to a lotion and vaseline combo. Although, olive oil has gotten a bit more expensive where I live, so if you live somewhere where it's the same, coconut oil can work as well.

I totally forgot to add- if you wash your hands with very hot water and dish soap: please do not do this anymore! it's drying out your hands so much faster. dish soap is not meant for hands, it's very rough. also, water so hot to the point it's steaming is only detrimental to your skin. you'll kill the germs by using regular hand soap and cold water. :)

Tips on not to wash as much:

I get it, you feel like you need to wash your hands. Especially now as everyone's getting sick, it can be pretty scary if you have ocd. I've been there too, and am currently struggling with it. You're not alone.

Ask yourself if it's *absolutely necessary*. If you just came in from work/school/the store, then yes of course, go wash your hands. But if you touched something like the remote (that maybe the people you live with touched), it's not going to kill you to not wash your hands. This is coming from someone who couldn't touch the remote or any doorknob (in my own home!) a few months ago, but can do so now without washing her hands. Yes, it's extremely difficult, and will likely invoke fear and other unpleasant emotions and feelings, but if you can, maybe just try one thing at a time. For example, maybe try not washing your hands after touching the refrigerator door (if that's not an issue, pick something that's relevant to you). If you can't- that's okay, this is a hard thing to do!

Wear gloves if you can. Yes, this may be reinforcing your compulsions, but if you still really struggle with washing your hands over and over and over, gloves could be able to help you. You can get a pair of regular gloves, or you can buy disposable ones if you're dealing with something you may not want to get on cloth gloves.

Distract yourself. If you're doing something where an obsession and a compulsion usually come into play, try a distraction. You could turn the tv on, put on a YouTube video, listen to music, or talk to someone.

Try to rationalize your way out of it. If you have OCD or struggle with similar symptoms, you know that most obsessions and compulsions don't make any sense. So if your brain is telling you to clean something or wash your hands, logic your way out of it. If it's telling you that you'll get hurt if you don't clean all the doorknobs, ask it why? Any germ that may be on there is not likely to kill you. Unless you don't have your covid vaccines, or have a compromised immune system, there's most likely nothing to worry about.

If you live in a place where masks aren't mandatory, wearing one may ease your concerns. You don't have to if it's not required, but I've been wearing one the whole time, and I don't worry anywhere near as much when I go out because I feel protected.

If you need/want to reach out, please do! I'm here for you all, and I wish you nothing but the best ❤️