Experiencing ADDvantages

How To Start the New Year Right

This is a great time to talk about the coming New Year, and how to start it out on the right foot.

2012 is just 5 days away. And before you jump into the new year with all sorts of thoughts about resolutions and changes you want to  make, it's important to first take time to reflect on the year that has passed.

As the New Year approaches, we often find ourselves thinking about all the things we didn't accomplish the prior year, and we vow to accomplish them next year. Few of us take the time to reflect on the past year and look at our successes and the experiences that we have learned from.

So here's a coaching exercise that will help you reflect on what's really important to you, and create meaningful intentions for 2012. It is this kind of self-awareness that ultimately leads to action in the areas of your life that are most important to you.

To do this coaching exercise, set aside 15-30 minutes to think about, write about, or talk about your answers to the following questions:

Looking back on 2011...

1. What were your successes?
2. What did you do or accomplish that you haven't given yourself credit for?
3. What unrealistic expectations did you hold yourself to?
4. What one thing would you do over, if given the opportunity?
5. What lessons did you learn from that experience?

Looking forward in 2012...

1. What one goal did you want to accomplish in 2011 that you weren't able to?
2. Why was this goal important to you?
3. What got in your way of achieving this goal?
4. What are you willing to do differently to accomplish this goal in the future?

Looking at yourself...

1. Who are the people that you are most grateful for?
2. Which of your strengths and skills are you most grateful for?
3. What is your best quality?
4. How will you use these strengths, skills, and qualities to help you move forward in the coming year?

Would you like to share what comes up for you in this coaching exercise? If so, please feel free to post your thoughts and reflections in the comments below!

Wait! Before You Go,

Here's a Chance to Save on a New Online Seminar That I'm REALLY Excited About... 

ADHD & Weight Management Online Seminar:
 How to Build Healthy Eating Habits that are ADHD-friendly

January 24-25, 2012 | 7-9pm EST both nights | ONLINE!


So many of us know what it's like to be in a yo-yo cycle with weight and health. You make some great changes and lose some weight, but you can't seem to stick to those healthier habits and end up gaining back even more weight than you lost. And this up-and-down cycle can last a lifetime--taking a toll on your physical health, your mental health, and your self-esteem.

Don't blame yourself. It's not a matter of willpower; it's a matter of having the proper tools and strategies.

Now here's the good news: there is hope! In the ADHD & Weight Management Online Seminar, Psychologist and Clinical Instructor in the Department of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School Dr. Roberto Olivardia will teach you everything from the science and studies behind ADHD and weight management to the practical, ADHD-friendly strategies and steps that you can take--right away--to start building healthy eating habits and take control of your weight.

Join us from the comfort of your own home or office (or access the presentation later if you can't attend live) to:

• Understand the complex relationship between your eating habits and your ADHD
• Get over the shame and self-judgment that so many people with ADHD have around food, weight, and body image
• Learn why people with ADHD are more susceptible to developing an eating disorder like obesity or compulsive overeating
• Find out how different emotions-from anxiety to anger to happiness-can trigger an unhealthy relationship with food
  
• Learn how to stock your house with foods that will make meal prep easier
• Learn how to be mindful about eating (we'll be doing an exercise on this during the seminar!)
• Find out what to eat for breakfast, and how to choose healthier snacks
• Learn how to monitor your food with ADHD-friendly ways to keep track of what you eat (and why this is so important for success!)
• Discover how to avoid becoming obsessed with food
• Learn how to set realistic health and weight loss goals
• Find out why you shouldn't give up when you reach a weight-loss plateau
• Learn how to make big positive changes in your eating habits by starting with very small steps

 

When you register for the ADHD & Weight Management Seminar, you'll get 4 hours of structured information and practical strategies from a prominent psychologist and ADHD expert--for less than the cost of a session with your doctor, a nutritionist, or a personal trainer.

Register now to secure the early bird price of just $77. (Expires January 3!)

Or learn more here.

I'm super excited to be offering this seminar because I'm one of these people who has struggled with weight management, and I know many of you out there will be super excited about it, too!

 

Happy New Year!!!

See You in 2012...

Happy ADHD New Year!

Have you heard of ADHD New Year? Probably not, because I admit that I made it up! Let me explain...

The summer has unofficially ended and we're heading into fall. I've often referred to fall as "the ADHD New Year," because I find that many people get refocused on their goals this time of year, and renew their interest in learning how to better manage their ADHD.

While most people wait until January to set new goals and focus on positive change, most people with ADHD don't like to wait that long. As Labor Day comes and goes, we find ourselves looking for ways to get on track, and we begin thinking about self-improvement.

Can you relate? You may find yourself wanting to be more organized, or more structured. You may be thinking about how you can really shine at work. Or you might be focused on your kids and family, and how you can help them to succeed.

And thus, with a renewed interest in goals and self-improvement, this time of year feels like New Year's. Go with it, I say! If you're motivated to make positive changes in your life, ride that wave of motivation and take advantage of the energy you feel. And remember these simple guidelines, the 5 Essential Skills for Managing ADHD:

1. Break the Cycle of Overwhelm. Stress management = ADHD management. Take time to relax and slow down. Don't let stress build to the point of overwhelm. Take really good care of yourself by getting enough rest, eating nutritious foods, and exercising.

2. Work With Your ADHD. Don't waste time trying to be like everyone else. Know yourself well, and embrace your differences. Do what works for you, and don't worry about how others do or don't do things.

3. ADDjust Your Attitude. No one gets far in life by trying to turn weaknesses into strengths. Instead, focus on what you're already good at, and get even better. It will improve your self-esteem, and open up more opportunities.

4. Take Control of Your Space and Time. Plan everything in advance. Don't just figure out the steps you need to take to get organized, but figure out when you can actually do the steps. Don't just make a to-do list, but actually plan out your day. Trust yourself to make a plan, and trust yourself to follow through with it.

5. Live Out Loud. Think about what you want in your life, and what it will take to get there. Set goals that will make you happy. Remember that life is about so much more than your to-do list!

What are your goals for the "ADHD New Year"? What skills will you have to use or learn to reach those goals? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Podcast: 3 Types of ADHD - Attention, Inattentives!

Did you know that there are 3 subtypes of AD/HD? 

Those who are Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive will often find themselves:

     - Fidgeting and needing to move frequently

     - Feeling impatient

     - Talking excessively or out of turn

Those who are Predominantly Inattentive will often find themselves:

     - Daydreaming or "spacing out"

     - Struggling with directions and details

     - Feeling forgetful and distracted

And those who are Combined Type will have characteristics of both.

While the Hyperactive-Impulsive subtype gets a lot of attention in the media, the Inattentive subtype is often overlooked. In the latest episode of the Virtual AD/HD Conference Podcast Series, I talk to Master Coach Barbara Luther s  pecifically about Inattentive Type AD/HD.

In this interview, Barbara:

• Explains some common challenges associated with Inattentive Type AD/HD    
• Discusses co-existing conditions, like depression and anxiety, that inattentives often deal with
• Offers some practical suggestions that you can use right away to move from inattention to action
• Gives a preview of her upcoming Virtual AD/HD Conference presentation on "From Forgotten to Finished: Strategies for Inattentives" 

Listen online, download the MP3, or subscribe to the series on iTunes here --->  http://ADHDconference.com/podcasts.shtml

And if you find this podcast (and the others) helpful, then be sure to register for the main event, the 4th Annual Virtual AD/HD Conference!

Video: ADHD In the Workplace

Can you believe that tomorrow will be September 1st? Where did the summer go? It certainly flew by for me!

I'm noticing another "theme week" with my ADHD coaching clients, as I often do. As summer winds down, it seems that everyone is feeling pressured to shift their focus back to work. Teachers are creating their lesson plans, bosses are expecting a higher level of productivity, business owners are getting serious about growth, and one unemployed client is really determined to find the right job for her.

Perhaps you've felt this push to get refocused on work, too?

Since everyone seems to be hunkering down to work right about now, I thought this might be a good time to point you in the direction of a popular public television show that I was a guest on in 2009.

Host Donna Scimia invited me to her show, Taming the Cubicle Jungle, to talk about Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in the workplace. Donna and I discussed:

• The specific workplace challenges that people with ADHD often deal with
• Practical strategies that you can use to manage your ADHD at work
• Whether or not you should tell your boss that you have ADHD

Click on the picture to watch the show:

I got lots of great feedback about the information presented, and the episode quickly became the most popular in the series!

Again, click on the picture to watch the show, or go directly to the show's website at http://www.pctv76.org/show.php?epid=220.

How about you? Did you find this video helpful? How do you manage your ADHD at work? Tell us about it in the comments below!

ADHD Expert Interviews

In the Virtual AD/HD Conference Podcast Series, the top ADHD experts offer valuable information and tips on some of the most important and interesting topics in the world of ADHD.

Four interviews are currently available, and many more are scheduled between now and the start of the conference. You can subscribe on iTunes, or listen to the following audios online:

• Dr. Ari Tuckman on AD/HD and Executive Functions
• Dr. Roberto Olivardia on AD/HD, Weight, and Eating Disorders
• Dr. Stephanie Sarkis on AD/HD and College Success
• Coach Tara McGillicuddy on AD/HD, Procrastination, and Motivation

Listen online here --->  http://ADHDconference.com/podcasts.shtml

And do consider joining us for the main event! The 4th Annual Virtual AD/HD Conference takes place online from October 3-6. This is your opportunity to get the tools, resources, and connections that you and your loved ones need to succeed with AD/HD.

Best of all, this is an online event– there’s no travel required!

Find out more here --->  http://ADHDconference.com

How to Stay Focused: Fidget!

Yesterday I had an MRI done. (Don't worry, it's nothing terribly serious. I injured my back while pregnant and unfortunately it hasn't gone away.)

Anyway, if you've ever had an MRI, then you know that you have to stay perfectly still while the machine is doing its thing. For a person with AD/HD, staying perfectly still is a terribly difficult thing to do!

It doesn't matter if you're trying to pay attention in class, sit still in a business meeting, or keep still for a procedure. And it doesn't matter if you're hyperactive or inattentive. People with AD/HD are fidgety!

And if you're anything like me, then the pressure to stay still makes you want to fidget even more.

So here's a "radical" idea: Stop fighting your AD/HD and go ahead and move! Fidget, stand, walk, or do what you need to do to feel comfortable.

The more you fight against that urge to move about, the harder it becomes to focus on the task at hand.

Here are a few fidget strategies I often recommend to clients:

• Swivel in your chair
• Doodle
• Chew gum
• Stand at the back of the room
• Keep a small fidget toy in your pocket or under the table
• Stretch your neck and shoulder muscles
• Sip some water

There are plenty of other little things you can do when the urge to fidget takes over. And these strategies can be employed at your desk, in a business meeting, in a classroom, while taking a test, in a theater or during a show, at the dinner table, while waiting in line, or anywhere else you like. Just be mindful to keep your movements to yourself, so you don't annoy others or encroach on their space.

As for me and my MRI, I was able to move my hands and arms during the procedure, which was a big help. But I was still anxious to get outta that place...fast!

The bottom line is that fidgeting allows you to feel calm and comfortable so that you can focus your attention where it needs to go. This is called working with your AD/HD, and it's one of my "5 Essential Skills for Managing AD/HD."

When does the urge to move tend to strike you?
Do you fidget to stay calm and focused?
Tell us about your challenges and strategies in the comments below!

New AD/HD Research

 I wanted to take a moment to draw your attention to some recent findings that detail just how devastating untreated AD/HD can be.

Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital found that children with AD/HD were more likely to abuse substances like tobacco, alcohol, and drugs. The study found that AD/HD was actually more of a risk factor than a family history of substance abuse! And, interestingly enough, the study found that both boys and girls are equally at risk.

Shire recently conducted a European survey and found that kids with AD/HD "had significantly more school days missed and were more frequently 'bottom of the class' than those without ADHD. Children with ADHD were also far less likely to be invited to social events or have a good relationship with their siblings." It seems that the impact of AD/HD is astoundingly similar all over the world.

These recent findings highlight just how important it is to identify and treat AD/HD in children and adults. And while medication isn't necessarily the right option for everyone, it's a very good option for many of us.

Unfortunately, there is a lot of confusion surrounding the medical treatment options for AD/HD. I hear from clients, readers, and virtual conference attendees all the time who are confused, worried, and even scared about AD/HD medications. Even when working with a doctor, many people don't know all their options. And many are confused about the very medications that they or their children currently take!

That's why I invited Theresa Cerulli MD, a prominent neuropsychiatrist with an impressive resume, to join me for the AD/HD Medication Matters Online Summit.

Our goal is to help you cut through the confusion and

get the facts about the medications used to treat AD/HD.

Over the course of 2 evenings, Dr. Cerulli will teach us everything we need to know about using medications to treat AD/HD. Together, you and I will:

1. Gain an overview of AD/HD and the brain

2. Learn how medications work in the brain

3. Receive a comprehensive review of the medications that are available to treat AD/HD

4. Grasp the difference between stimulant and nonstimulant, brand name and generic, and long and short acting medications

5. Recognize which symptoms and challenges can and can't be helped by AD/HD medications

6. Discover how to tell when you've got the right medication at the right dose

7. Uncover the common side effects of medications, and learn what you can do to avoid them

8. Assess the medications used to treat common coexisting conditions, like depression and anxiety

9. Find out if certain medications are better for women vs. men, kids vs. adults, and the inattentive vs. the hyperactive

10. Understand when it's NOT safe to take AD/HD medications

11. Evaluate some complimentary treatments that you can use in conjunction with, or as an alternative to, medications

12. Determine what to do if you disagree with your doctor's treatment plan

13. Get your questions answered by a neuropsychiatrist who is an expert on AD/HD

The AD/HD Medication Matters Summit takes place online and in the comfort of your own home or office. Join us on June 14 & 15 (Tuesday and Wednesday) from 7-9pm EDT. Don't worry if you can't attend live, because the presentation will be recorded.

Register to receive:

• Access to the live webinar presentations (2 evenings, June 14 & 15)
• Recordings of the presentations - yours to download and keep!
• Presentation slides - yours to download and keep!
• Access to the members-only website in which you can connect with your peers, ask questions, share resources, and discuss your experiences

Register in Advance to Save $30

Sign up before June 14th and pay just $97.

Or visit the AD/HD Medication Matters Summit website for more info.

I'm really excited about this event because I know just how much it's needed. Join me as we cut through the confusion and get the facts about medication and AD/HD! I'll "see" you there!

How to Find the Right Doctor to Treat Your AD/HD

In the last newsletter, I talked about How I Survived Pregnancy Without Medication. My story garnered a number of responses from readers about their own experiences with medication. You can read my story, as well as the responses, on my blog at http://www.ExperiencingADDvantages.com.

Since telling my medication story, I've heard from a number of people whose biggest problem when it comes to medication is finding the right doctor to prescribe it! So I think this is an excellent time to run an excerpt from my book, Odd One Out: The Maverick's Guide to Adult ADD, about how to find the right doctor to treat your ADD:

Like, Respect, and Trust Your Doctors

Many adults with ADD largely ignore one very important factor in self-care: health care providers.

Whether you're looking for a dentist or a general practitioner, it's tough to find good doctors today. Very few actually take the time to get to know you and develop a personal relationship with you. And (in the United States, at least) when you find a good one who does go out of their way to provide you with top-notch care, they usually don't take your insurance!

If you walk out of your doctor's office grumbling about what a jerk they are, then it is not okay to continue seeing them.

When you choose a doctor, you put your health in their hands. You trust them to determine if there are any problems that need to be addressed, and to help you take preventative measures for illnesses and diseases that you may be at risk for. Never trust your care to someone who doesn't answer your questions or take your concerns seriously.

While this makes sense on paper, it becomes a problem for many adults with ADD because finding good doctors requires a lot of time and effort. It's often easier to go to the doctor who is close by, or the doctor who takes your insurance, because you just don't feel like going through the process of looking for a new one. However, finding good doctors is an investment in yourself and your health.

The first and easiest thing you can do to find a good doctor is to ask around. Ask your friends, family, and neighbors who they recommend. This cuts down on a lot of research time, and if a doctor gets along well with someone whom you get along well with, then chances are you may be a good fit!

You can also check your health insurance provider's directory. If you find someone that looks good, try Googling their name. See what you can find out about that doctor online. Do they have a website or an online profile? Perhaps they have published a paper or appeared in an article. Or, if you're really lucky, you may come across a patient rating of the doctor! These are all great ways to get a sense of the doctor and their personality before you commit to a visit.

Lastly, try, try again. If you visit a doctor that you don't gel with, don't be afraid to stop seeing them, and see someone else, instead. Mavericks identify what they want and then go for it. A little extra effort isn't enough to stop them. Sure, all of these strategies can be time consuming and frustrating, but isn't your health worth it?

And by the way, everything said above applies to therapists, counselors, and coaches, too!

We'll be touching on this subject, and so much more, at the AD/HD Medication Matters Summit next month. The Summit is a live, online event that is designed to help you cut through the confusion and get the facts about AD/HD and medication.

Prominent neuropsychiatrist Theresa Cerulli, MD will be joining me in this online summit to teach you everything you need to know about AD/HD and medications. Over the course of 2 evenings, you'll:

1. Gain an overview of AD/HD and the brain

2. Learn how medications work in the brain

3. Receive a comprehensive review of the medications that are available to treat AD/HD

4. Grasp the difference between stimulant and nonstimulant, brand name and generic, and long and short acting medications

5. Recognize which symptoms and challenges can and can't be helped by AD/HD medications

6. Discover how to tell when you've got the right medication at the right dose

7. Uncover the common side effects of medications, and learn what you can do to avoid them

8. Assess the medications used to treat common coexisting conditions, like depression and anxiety

9. Find out if certain medications are better for women vs. men, kids vs. adults, and the inattentive vs. the hyperactive

10. Understand when it's NOT safe to take AD/HD medications

11. Evaluate some complimentary treatments that you can use in conjunction with, or as an alternative to, medications

12. Determine what to do if you disagree with your doctor's treatment plan

13. Get your questions answered by a neuropsychiatrist who is an expert on AD/HD

The AD/HD Medication Matters Summit takes place online and in the comfort of your own home or office. Join us on June 14 & 15 (Tuesday and Wednesday) from 7-9pm EDT. Don't worry if you can't attend live, because the presentation will be recorded and the audios, as well as the slides, are yours to keep.

Visit the AD/HD Medication Matters Summit website to register or learn more!

ADD Quick Links & Announcements

Twitter Contest - Win a ticket to the AD/HD Medication Matters Online Summit: http://www.ExperiencingADDvantages.com



Join the ADD Mavericks tribe on Facebook and download a complimentary audio on how to "Unleash Your Inner Maverick": http://www.Facebook.com/ADDmavericks


Reminder for AD/HD Professionals - Proposals to present at the 4th Annual Virtual AD/HD Conference are due by May 31: http://ADHDconference.com/proposals.shtml

 

 

 

P.S. Remember, finding good health care providers is an important part of self-care for people with ADD. Make it a priority!

Work With Your ADD

Although I'm currently out on maternity leave, I've taken the time to prepare some newsletters for you while I'm away! I thought this would be a great time to review The 5 Essential Skills for Managing Adult ADD that I detail in my book, Odd One Out: The Maverick's Guide to Adult ADD, and in my new Odd One Out Home Study Coaching Program.

 

ADD Management Skill #2: Work With Your ADD

The biggest mistake that I see adults with ADD make is that they try to do things just like everyone else. But when you’re wired differently than the vast majority of the people around you, trying to be like everyone else just doesn’t work.

The people around you - your friends, your coworkers, and certainly many members of your family - go through their lives and do things a certain way. They have certain systems they follow to make their lives easier. They may have their desk organized a certain way, and they may go food shopping twice a week, or wash the dishes right after dinner every night.

And these systems are definitely a good thing - when the person who’s following them creates them based on what will make their life easier. But you can’t be successful trying to emulate other people’s systems. You have to create your own systems, taking into account your own personality and your own strengths and challenges. And you most certainly have to take into account your own ADD! Unfortunately, this is where a lot of adults with ADD get tripped up.

As a person with ADD, you may need to have your desk organized completely differently, in a way that makes sense only to you. And you may have to delegate the food shopping trips, or wash the dishes in the morning, instead of the evening. It’s all individual, and what matters is what makes life easiest for YOU!

The problem is that, in our society, we’re often taught that different equals bad. In your early life, you were probably made aware of your differences when the people around you pointed them out.

• Your parents may have called you lazy because you had no interest in cleaning your room. (I know I got that one!)
• Your teachers may have told you that you didn’t apply yourself because you daydreamed in class.
• Your friends may have commented that you never paid attention to the rules of the game.

But these behaviors in and of themselves aren’t bad, they’re just different than those of most other kids. And over time, you start to internalize all these differences as criticisms of who you are and how you naturally do things.

Then, in adulthood, things suddenly become worse because YOU become the one who points out those differences yourself. You see others around you going about their lives in ways that are foreign to you, and you convince yourself that they know something you don’t. You convince yourself that you don’t measure up. And you judge yourself, probably VERY HARSHLY, for not being like everyone else.

As long as you continue to judge yourself for your differences, you’re working against your ADD. You have to embrace who you are as a whole person, challenges and differences included, if you want to find the systems and solutions that are going to make your life easier. When you can do that, you can work WITH your ADD, not against it.

How do you work with your ADD? Please share your thoughts with other readers in the comments below!

 

How to Master the 5 Essential Skills for Managing Adult ADD

Are you STILL struggling with chronic overwhelm, self-doubt, poor time management, and other ADD-related challenges?

Let me show you exactly how to master The 5 Essential Skills for Managing Adult ADD so that you can embrace your inner maverick and move forward in life!

If you’re like many of the adults with ADD that I hear from, then you’ve read my book, Odd One Out: The Maverick’s Guide to Adult ADD, and it really hit home with you.

You’d love to work with me one-on-one to dig into the concepts and strategies covered in the book but, unfortunately, private coaching isn’t an option for you right now.

Now there’s another option. I created a home study program that will coach you to:

• Embrace your inner maverick
• Break the cycle of chronic stress, overwhelm, and burnout
• Learn how to accept and work with your own ADD
• Focus on your strengths and think more positively
• Take control of your space, time, and tasks
• Give yourself permission to live out loud!

The Odd One Out Home Study Coaching Program allows me to be your personal ADD coach from afar, and it’s the next best thing to working with me privately. It features 3 audio CDs, an 85+ page workbook, and a goal setting action guide. I walk you through each chapter in the book and show you exactly what it takes to build and apply each of the 5 Essential Skills for Managing Adult ADD.

Life with adult ADD really doesn’t have to be so hard. You’re not stuck living a life of stress and disappointment. I’ve coached hundreds of adults to embrace their inner maverick and live happy and successful lives. You can absolutely take control over your ADD and turn things around! And I can help you do it with the Odd One Out Home Study Coaching Program.

Retail Price: $197 + S&H $147 with FREE Shipping in the US and Canada Save $59.95!

This introductory price is available to the first 50 people who order the home study program. (Over half available at this price have already been sold.) Offer expires March 1, 2011, or when the first 50 orders are placed. Comes with a 90-day, 100% money-back guarantee!

Learn more here.

Quick Tips for a Happy Thanksgiving (or Any Holiday)

Well, the holiday season is officially upon us! For those of us in the United States, Thanksgiving marks the beginning of what many adults with AD/HD think of as the most stressful time of year. Gifts, parties, crowds, family...ack! Stress!

If you're dreading Thanksgiving (or any holiday), then take a deep breath and don't fret. These quick tips will help keep you sane when things get crazy. 

QUICK TIP #1:
Know Your AD/HD and Plan To Manage Your Challenges

You know yourself better than anyone, so ask yourself "How does my AD/HD affect me on the holidays?" Make a list of all the things that tend to stress you out, and make a plan to deal with them.

For example, when you're gathering for the holiday dinner with family:

• Do you tend to say impulsive things that you later regret? Plan to take a deep breath before answering ANY questions so that you can think about your words before you speak them.


• Do hyper kids or too many people overwhelm you? Plan to excuse yourself and take a brief walk when things start feeling chaotic.


• Does a family member really make you mad when s/he starts nagging or becomes critical? Plan a simple response that won't fuel the fire, like "I'm sorry you feel that way. I'd rather talk about a great book I'm reading right now."


• Do you get antsy after a long day? Plan to end the day early, so that you don't reach the point of irritability.

I have to tell you, I run through my own personal "Thanksgiving AD/HD Management Plan" every single year on the drive over to my mom's house, and it makes all the difference!

QUICK TIP #2:
Don't Expect Perfection

Accept that the day won't be perfect. Nothing is! Whether you're hosting the holiday, staying with family, or patronizing a restaurant, realize that something is bound to go wrong. That's life. Don't hold it against yourself, or the people around you. Whatever it is that goes wrong, move on and let it go. Don't let one mistake or disappointment ruin the whole day.

QUICK TIP #3:
Have Realistic Expectations of Others

Remember that you're not the only one doing the best you can to keep it together and stay sane during the holidays! We all do the best we can with the skills, tools, and resources we have. Hurtful comments probably aren't intended that way, and neither are annoying actions. Don't hold it against friends and family members who may not have the necessary skills to express themselves effectively.

And whatever you do, don't expect people to be any different than they were last year! Most of the time, the people and things that bugged you last year will be there to bug you again this year. If your expectations are realistic, then those annoyances will be much easier to deal with.

What are YOUR biggest challenges during the holidays? What's your best tip for a Happy Thanksgiving? Please share your thoughts in the comments below!