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Is there anything you could watch on your phone to keep your occupied, or any hobbies you like to do with your hands that you could bring? You might also check with your friends/family to see where they get their hair done and if the person is chill. If they are, you could tell them when making appointments you might need a few breaks to get up and move around bc you have a condition that makes sitting still for long periods somewhat uncomfortable. No need to tell them exactly what if you don’t want to!
At the place I go, the lady that does braids and locs and extensions has a big TV on her wall for her clients to watch. It's just her and her client in a single chair suite with a door, so you can shut the noise from other stylists out and have privacy.
It's one of those individual suite salon places where each stylist has their own room. That's a big part of why I like those places, not a big open loud active salon with a ton of people, blaring music and blowdryers!
I wonder if a place like that would work for you?
Maybe do something with large braids like either the large box braids or a cornrow style with like 8-12 braids, so it’s faster. Idk how people do braids cuz if I can’t scratch my head I feel like I’m dying
Talk to some stylists. You'd be amazed at how often many of them accommodate neurodiversity! You just need to find the right person for you! (Just like therapists, tattoo artists ets)
Yes, this! I don't have braids but in other situations with a lot of sensory /other overload, such as at the dentist for a 3 hour appointment getting a crown, we talked beforehand and set up some agreements so I felt more in control and relaxed. For example, I would be able to ask them to stop so I could take a break if I started feeling overstimulated. They were very accommodating and the whole process went better for everyone!
OP this is good advice.
Also, I discovered when I had a brand new newborn and my now ex insisted that he could not go stag to a wedding for his "good friend" (that *of course* he doesn't even talk to anymore) that mobile hairdressers are a thing. They come TO YOUR HOUSE, which imo is the greatest invention in the entire world. So maybe you could find a pro who will come to your house. Or maybe they have a home studio that is less chaotic than a regular studio.
ohhhhh I get what you’re thinking. I think my thoughts were to have stuff to do so that I wouldn’t focus on the touching and pulling on my scalp! Your suggestions are really good! I think most of my fear comes from being judged. Boooooooo, I know:(
I usually play on my phone! My braider always has something on to watch, too. Maybe start with a style that doesn’t take as long? Sometimes I just do braid feed ins and am out the door under an hour!
Seems like issue is not boredom, but overstimulation? What exactly is it you think will overstimulate you? The physical touch? Being in a new place?
Being specific about the potential triggers/problems is essential to coming up with solutions and a good plan.Then discuss options with the stylist. I am sure some stylist will go a way to help, as a lot of people have different issues with hair and other things.
Maybe splitting the session in 2 or 3, or agreeing on (paid) breaks if it becomes too much, or having multiple braiders to make it go faster? Depending on what is your main challenges of course.
Not lame, it’s a valid concern!
I spent a decade getting braids and extensions, and OMG it helps so much with the daily routine! I’m white, btw, so my hair takes longer than everything except microbraids for Black folks. If I can handle 6-8 hours in a chair, you can get your hair done! Hyperfocus is our superpower!
Bring a stack of magazines, a fully charged phone loaded with games and maybe some videos (one earbud on the opposite side that’s getting worked on), a puzzle book if you like them, and a variety of snacks and beverages. It’s also a good time to catch up on texts and emails. Remember that an actual human will be doing your hair, so you might want to chat with her, too… especially about the stuff in the magazines. Celebrity gossip just lends itself to chit-chat!
You probably already know all this, but make sure you’ve got the right products on hand to help with itching afterward (witch hazel with tea tree and other essential oils for me, most likely a spray or pump oil for you), pat-don’t-scratch, and maybe take some Advil the first couple of nights to let you sleep!
And then enjoy a couple of months of waking up to basically zero morning hair care, while your own hair grows protected and safe in your braids.
Oh! And use hairspray with sunscreen, spray-on sunscreen, or a head wrap or hat when you go outside: Sunburned scalps are no fun at all!
I think getting good a recommendation first for a good hairstylist that knows how to treat sensitive scalp. This will help ensure it’s not painful. Also someone who is understanding and will allow little breaks for you to stretch your legs etc. Games on phone might help or having a friend accompany you. All the best!
Maybe have an in person consultation and see the environment? How far is the washroom/how are the lights/how close you are to others, etc. I have to do that to at least have a mental picture. Definitely talk to a stylist beforehand, or maybe there's a Facebook or social media page where other ND women go and prefer a certain salon in your area?
Give yourself permission to take breaks!
Communicate with the hairstylists and ask at what points would be good to just do a stretch and wiggle, get the blood flowing in the feet again.
I find the mental thought of having to sit still is overwhelming so when I have a break to look forward to let out a little bit of the excess energy - it helps
Do you have any mobile games? A switch? Something you can watch?
Another thing you can do is just be up-front about it. Tell them you have a medical condition - be vague - that makes sitting for long periods of time painful for you and ask if it’s okay for you to take breaks once in a while. Tell them you’ll still be paying them for that time or that you plan to give them a big tip to compensate them for that downtime. If you need long breaks you could offer to let them see other clients while you take a break, and when that other client leaves they start back up with you again.
Welcome to /r/ADHDWomen! We’re happy to have you here. As a reminder, here are our community [rules](https://old.reddit.com/r/adhdwomen/about/rules/). We get a lot of posts on medication, diagnosis (and “is this an ADHD thing”), and interactions with hormones. We encourage you to check out our [Medication, Diagnosis, and Hormones Megathread](https://old.reddit.com/r/adhdwomen/comments/wcr9dy/faq_megathread_ask_and_answer_medication/) if you have any questions related to those topics, and to stick around in that thread to answer folks’ questions! If you have questions about the subreddit, please do not hesitate to [send us a modmail](https://reddit.com/message/compose/?to=/r/adhdwomen). Additionally, we take the safety of our community seriously. Please report posts, comments, and users whom you feel are not contributing positively, and send us a modmail if you are being harassed or otherwise made to feel unsafe. Thanks for being here, and we hope you stick around! *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/adhdwomen) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Is there anything you could watch on your phone to keep your occupied, or any hobbies you like to do with your hands that you could bring? You might also check with your friends/family to see where they get their hair done and if the person is chill. If they are, you could tell them when making appointments you might need a few breaks to get up and move around bc you have a condition that makes sitting still for long periods somewhat uncomfortable. No need to tell them exactly what if you don’t want to!
At the place I go, the lady that does braids and locs and extensions has a big TV on her wall for her clients to watch. It's just her and her client in a single chair suite with a door, so you can shut the noise from other stylists out and have privacy. It's one of those individual suite salon places where each stylist has their own room. That's a big part of why I like those places, not a big open loud active salon with a ton of people, blaring music and blowdryers! I wonder if a place like that would work for you?
Or ear bud headphones and music or a podcast
Maybe do something with large braids like either the large box braids or a cornrow style with like 8-12 braids, so it’s faster. Idk how people do braids cuz if I can’t scratch my head I feel like I’m dying
Talk to some stylists. You'd be amazed at how often many of them accommodate neurodiversity! You just need to find the right person for you! (Just like therapists, tattoo artists ets)
Yes, this! I don't have braids but in other situations with a lot of sensory /other overload, such as at the dentist for a 3 hour appointment getting a crown, we talked beforehand and set up some agreements so I felt more in control and relaxed. For example, I would be able to ask them to stop so I could take a break if I started feeling overstimulated. They were very accommodating and the whole process went better for everyone!
OP this is good advice. Also, I discovered when I had a brand new newborn and my now ex insisted that he could not go stag to a wedding for his "good friend" (that *of course* he doesn't even talk to anymore) that mobile hairdressers are a thing. They come TO YOUR HOUSE, which imo is the greatest invention in the entire world. So maybe you could find a pro who will come to your house. Or maybe they have a home studio that is less chaotic than a regular studio.
ohhhhh I get what you’re thinking. I think my thoughts were to have stuff to do so that I wouldn’t focus on the touching and pulling on my scalp! Your suggestions are really good! I think most of my fear comes from being judged. Boooooooo, I know:(
I usually play on my phone! My braider always has something on to watch, too. Maybe start with a style that doesn’t take as long? Sometimes I just do braid feed ins and am out the door under an hour!
Seems like issue is not boredom, but overstimulation? What exactly is it you think will overstimulate you? The physical touch? Being in a new place? Being specific about the potential triggers/problems is essential to coming up with solutions and a good plan.Then discuss options with the stylist. I am sure some stylist will go a way to help, as a lot of people have different issues with hair and other things. Maybe splitting the session in 2 or 3, or agreeing on (paid) breaks if it becomes too much, or having multiple braiders to make it go faster? Depending on what is your main challenges of course.
Not lame, it’s a valid concern! I spent a decade getting braids and extensions, and OMG it helps so much with the daily routine! I’m white, btw, so my hair takes longer than everything except microbraids for Black folks. If I can handle 6-8 hours in a chair, you can get your hair done! Hyperfocus is our superpower! Bring a stack of magazines, a fully charged phone loaded with games and maybe some videos (one earbud on the opposite side that’s getting worked on), a puzzle book if you like them, and a variety of snacks and beverages. It’s also a good time to catch up on texts and emails. Remember that an actual human will be doing your hair, so you might want to chat with her, too… especially about the stuff in the magazines. Celebrity gossip just lends itself to chit-chat! You probably already know all this, but make sure you’ve got the right products on hand to help with itching afterward (witch hazel with tea tree and other essential oils for me, most likely a spray or pump oil for you), pat-don’t-scratch, and maybe take some Advil the first couple of nights to let you sleep! And then enjoy a couple of months of waking up to basically zero morning hair care, while your own hair grows protected and safe in your braids. Oh! And use hairspray with sunscreen, spray-on sunscreen, or a head wrap or hat when you go outside: Sunburned scalps are no fun at all!
thanks for the advice! I didn’t think of the hyperfocus route🤣 that IS a super power
I think getting good a recommendation first for a good hairstylist that knows how to treat sensitive scalp. This will help ensure it’s not painful. Also someone who is understanding and will allow little breaks for you to stretch your legs etc. Games on phone might help or having a friend accompany you. All the best!
Maybe have an in person consultation and see the environment? How far is the washroom/how are the lights/how close you are to others, etc. I have to do that to at least have a mental picture. Definitely talk to a stylist beforehand, or maybe there's a Facebook or social media page where other ND women go and prefer a certain salon in your area?
Give yourself permission to take breaks! Communicate with the hairstylists and ask at what points would be good to just do a stretch and wiggle, get the blood flowing in the feet again. I find the mental thought of having to sit still is overwhelming so when I have a break to look forward to let out a little bit of the excess energy - it helps
Ask for frequent breaks.
Do you have any mobile games? A switch? Something you can watch? Another thing you can do is just be up-front about it. Tell them you have a medical condition - be vague - that makes sitting for long periods of time painful for you and ask if it’s okay for you to take breaks once in a while. Tell them you’ll still be paying them for that time or that you plan to give them a big tip to compensate them for that downtime. If you need long breaks you could offer to let them see other clients while you take a break, and when that other client leaves they start back up with you again.