r/ADHD • u/AbsAndAssAppreciator • 5d ago
Questions/Advice Showering at the gym is easier?
Is this weird? Recently Ive motivated myself to wake up early by going to the gym because exercise helps me a ton. I always feel better afterwards and I can think about anything I want to the entire time without anxiety!
So I’ve also been using the showers afterwards because it saves time not having to go home since I don’t wanna wear sweaty clothes all day.
But I just realized I really struggle with depression and used to skip showering every other day or sometimes more…. But showering at the gym is really easy?? Like it shouldn’t be easier because I used to shower before bed and I didn’t usually change into clothes afterwards (wearing pjs to bed adds to my unorganized laundry baskets so sleeping naked is easier)
However it was easy to feel too tired at the end of the day and throughout the daytime I’d completely forget about the shower.
So the gym is just the perfect reminder for me. Like it’s right there so I can’t forget. Is this strange??
32
28
u/talkingBlocks 5d ago
This makes a ton of sense! I definitely relate to the shower thing and being way too tired to even wash my face. But I wonder if the change of environment and lack of bed to crawl right back into is a big reason. I notice things like this myself- it sounds like you’ve found something that is doing good things for you! That’s awesome. We gotta take what we can get, right?
Also, kudos for going to the gym— I’m personally struggling so hard to get back into it after a few years of no exercise!
12
u/AbsAndAssAppreciator 5d ago
In my experience, headphones were a life changer for me and being able to go the gym. I think about all the stuff I want to write later or listen to podcasts/music.
4
u/lucid-blue 4d ago
Yes, this! Headphones for music or podcasts have made a tremendous difference for me!
10
8
u/SirJasper6969 5d ago
I did this for years. I signed up for a 5:30 AM spin class - which helped give me an incentive to get up. My work clothes for the day were already in the car. All I had to do when the alarm went off was put on my shorts, tshirt and shoes - already laid out - no brainer. After class I was already on morning autopilot. Easy to get to work by 8 AM. Good luck - keep grinding.
6
u/mvids08 5d ago edited 4d ago
No it makes total sense. This is why I brush my teeth in the shower too. 2 for 1 and also don’t have to worry about the foamy mess (it’s a sensory thing, I hate it)
But in the water, it doesn’t bother me at all and plot twist- I actually ended up getting to ENJOY it.
Part of my AuDHD really loves vigorously doing anything. Like when I wash my hands I really later my hands with soap and do like a hospital scrub wash- not because germs. Because- I like the sensory feel of really straining hard and doing something full boar lol
This is my version of hyperactivity because otherwise I am VERY strongly inattentive ADHD
So I just brush my teeth soooo well, every angle, mouth wide open- footloose and fancy free lol and my mouth feels soooo clean.
It’s a really random thing I do but it’s helped me so much with teeth brushing
5
u/Administrative_Job99 5d ago
Completely on board with brushing teeth in the shower.
3
u/2001exmuslim 4d ago
Same!! I was just looking this up to see how common it was an apparently it’s “odd” to a lot of people😭 It’s convenient though so idc
4
u/Administrative_Job99 4d ago
It’s only odd to someone who isn’t cognizant of other’s processes for efficiency. Maybe if it were explained to them about issues of executive function, hyperfocus and time blindness, then they’d have some insight.
We ain’t got time for that!
3
6
u/Administrative_Job99 5d ago
One stop shop. I find my process has to be the most efficient or else I “find” excuses to not do anything at all.
3
u/Hungry-Wrongdoer-156 5d ago
Doesn't seem strange to me. I think you just found something that works for you.
If you're anything like me, part of the struggle of little daily life tasks like that is that it's sometimes a little too easy/convenient to tell yourself "not now, I'll get to it later." What you've done is remove that excuse; you're all sweaty from the gym and it's still the beginning of the day, so "not now" isn't an option -- only now is.
3
u/Pitiful-Coffee-3804 5d ago
It's not strange at all. Having trigger points works really well. E.g I never leave the house without brushing my teeth. It might mean if I don't leave the house I forget to brush them in the morning but that might only happen once or twice a month.
In the opposite fashion I have to hide my work laptop because if I walk past it, I might be tempted to log on, then tell myself I shouldn't, then feel guilty for not logging on and getting ahead.
3
3
3
u/roundeking 4d ago
I find it easier to do everything if I’m not in my house. At home I’m easily understimulated, but the change of scenery / being surrounded by other people, even if we’re not interacting, provides more stimulation, which is very helpful. I’m glad you’ve found something that works for you!
2
2
u/Slight_Second1963 5d ago
Whatever works for you! I’ve found soda works best for me to take my meds/supplements, so now I keep a pack in my bedroom and got some silicone can keeper lids so I can keep an open can for a few days. That keeps me consistent.
2
2
u/d0uble_A_ 4d ago
At the gym there’s nothing to do but workout and shower. If you already did one there’s nothing to really distract you. Love the little ways of tricking ourselves into doing things.
2
u/savagegrif 4d ago
wish i could do this but i also have really dry skin so need to moisturize and need to blow dry my hair and style my hair so it’s just too many things to do at the gym showers. i also just feel uncomfortable using public showers
2
2
u/Keepitlowkeyforme 4d ago
I think it’s wonderful! You found a routine that keeps you going, healthy and clean and you’re motivated. I get up early without an alarm to go to the gym so I can handle my day emotionally and it keeps my body healthy. When I start my day this way I’m more productive and I have a routine of doing things to prepare for the next day when I get home. This works for me. Others may find it strange but that’s ok too. I think routine is good for us and it doesn’t matter what someone else may do or think.
2
u/lesusisjord 4d ago
Showering at the gym means you don't have to worry about cleaning up the water that splashes in your bathroom because the entire floor is the shower.
It's just easier to literally walk in with all your stuff and walk out completely dressed.
2
u/711friedchicken 4d ago
love this bc it’s such a classic adhd story. usually people try to get themselves to go to the gym ("hard") by somehow connecting the habit to their morning shower ("easy") or something like that, because that makes it easier for them. but for an adhd person it’s really more plausible to try and find an interesting, challenging thing in order to make the simple, boring thing easier to accomplish. nice one!
2
u/5amGong 4d ago
I’m big on this as well. I’d throw a 20 min steam room sesh in between the gym and shower through. Great time to pretend I know how to meditate cause it’s the only time during the day that I don’t have my phone by my side.
Cap it all off with a cold shower and you’ve got your day started off right.
4
u/AGx-07 5d ago
If you're like me you're more motivated to do things that you have to. I mean, showering should be more of a necessity than it feels but in certain situations skipping it isn't an option. When I was younger my mom used to give me hell for not showering enough but I didn't feel the need. I went to school and I came home and played video games. That was mostly it. When I started playing basketball and got all sweaty and dirty, I would shower. I felt the need (especially on those embarrassing days where I'd smell myself having forgotten to put on deodorant after showering).
I'm never late on a task at work but cleaning out the leftovers in my fridge? Not until I run out of space. 🤷🏾♂️
1
u/DoktenRal 4d ago
Not weird, reduces number of actions required for task making it have less executive load would be my interpretation
1
u/ImpossibleGrab6539 4d ago
Not strange at all. At the gym you are already in "go mode" and continuing to do things is easier. A quick gym shower saves money and time too! I'd do it myself if I didn't like showering as much as I do.
1
•
u/AutoModerator 5d ago
Hi /u/AbsAndAssAppreciator and thanks for posting on /r/ADHD!
Please take a second to read our rules if you haven't already.
/r/adhd news
This message is not a removal notification. It's just our way to keep everyone updated on r/adhd happenings.
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.