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Make Grocery Shopping Easier

 For many autistic people, grocery shopping is an overwhelming and stressful experience. I'm an autistic adult, want to share some of the things I do to make the experience easier for myself.
  1. Bring a trusted friend: I grocery shop with my aide and my service dog, and they help guide me through the maze of colors and lights, keep track of how much I am spending, and make sure I don't forget anything. 
  2. Wear noise-cancelling devices: The sounds in a grocery store are super overwhelming. There's the buzzing of the lights, the people, the beeping of the checkout, the music, the carts, the refrigerators, and so much more. Block them out with earplugs; noise cancelling headphones; or my personal favorite, Ear Peace.
  3. Wear a mask: The grocery store is full of smells that can be unpleasant or overwhelming, not to mention trigger co-morbid conditions like asthma or migraines. A mask can help with this. I'm personally about to try Vogmask, since I've been having severe problems with my glasses fogging, and I need a mask most of the time. 
  4. Have a list: Knowing what you want to buy before you get there means one less thing to think about while you're shopping. 
  5. Have a routine: I always start in the quietest part of the store, and I always end in produce. Having a routine helps reduce my anxiety and lets me know what to expect. 
  6. Take it easy afterwards: I understand that the residual feeling of being overwhelmed will continue throughout the day for me, and I try not to over-tax myself after grocery shopping. You might be ready for more meltdowns or difficulty with tasks on grocery day.
Everyone is different, and these tips may or may not work for you, but hopefully they can make shopping a little bit easier.

 

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