With the holidays in full swing, many people are thinking about celebrations, traditions and getting through endless to-do lists. As your stress mounts, it can be challenging to keep up with the daily self-care routines that keep you grounded and stable. In addition, the cost of buying gifts, and the work of wrapping them and giving them out, can push you over the edge.

Living with ADHD can already feel like navigating a daily obstacle course: forgetfulness, overwhelm, inconsistent focus, emotional highs and lows. Stress can quickly outweigh steadiness, and frustration easily crowds out joy. So how do you reduce stress, increase happiness, and support your overall well-being during the holidays without adding yet another demand to your plate? By focusing on small acts of kindness towards others and yourself.

Research consistently shows that helping others supports emotional well-being for the giver. Acts of generosity are associated with increased positive emotions, reduced negative affect, and greater psychological well-being overall. This benefit is often described as the “warm glow” effect—the internal sense of satisfaction that comes from giving without expecting anything in return. It’s a natural dopamine boost. Even more importantly, this positive impact does not depend on large donations or formal volunteering. Since even brief, everyday acts of kindness can produce........

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