ADD and Travel – Why is it So Difficult?

 If you have attention deficit disorder (or ADD for short) you may find that vacations aren’t as pleasant as you initially hoped. Most people take vacation planning for granted. They simply know what they need to take, plan their vacation accordingly, and enjoy a nice, restful, relaxing vacation.

However, for people who have ADD, this process can be both stressful and hectic, creating friction with loved ones and making the whole experience less than pleasant for all involved. However, there is some good news. While ADD may interfere somewhat in the vacation planning process, there are a number of ways to cut down on the stress levels, so that you can enjoy the vacation you so richly deserve.

Below you’ll find a list of things you can do to both cut down on stress and minimize your planning.

1. Create a list of things you’ll need to take well ahead of time. You can even add to the list every day, or whenever something pops into your head. Lists can seriously improve your chances of packing everything you need, and they definitely cut down on stress too. You can even save your lists for later vacations.
2. If you’re unsure of where you’d like to go, remember that you can always enjoy a pre-planned trip. Pre-planned trips, such as cruises, escorted tours and all inclusive trips are usually the best types of trips for someone who has ADD. It cuts down on the decision making, letting you get on with what’s really important-having fun!
3. Using a travel agent instead of planning everything on your own is great if you have ADD. Instead of feeling harassed by decisions, travel agents can make the decision making process simpler. Besides, they’re trained to know travel, and most of them are very good at their job.
4. Plan your vacation so that you’re not trapped doing something you don’t enjoy. For example, many people who have ADD don’t like to stay in one place for too long. This would make a cruise, for instance, a bad choice for that person. Standing on the deck of a ship, while watching the waves go by, may not be the kind of thing you’re into.
5. Travel locally. Sure, you may not get to enjoy Hawaii or another favourite destination, but I bet there are lots of local attractions that you haven’t seen. Traveling locally takes the planning out of the vacation, allowing you to relax and enjoy your vacation time.
6. Create a familiar environment when away from home. Structure is very important to someone who has ADD. For example, if you hang your keys from a hanger by the front door, do so in your hotel room, too.
7. Make sure you have lots of time to do things. There’s nothing worse than hurrying through your travel time, trying to beat deadlines.
8. If you do have pressing business to attend while travelling, make sure you pack a watch equipped with an alarm. This will ensure that you’re not late.

Travelling and having ADD can go hand-in-hand. It’s all about making good decisions and planning your travelling arrangements ahead of time. Don’t let ADD stand in the way of a great vacation.