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Beany Brain #83: War on the ADHD and Autistic Nervous System + Condiments Day
Abigail Munday
March 03, 2026
Beany Brain: loving our jumping-bean brains!
Welcome to this issue of the Beany Brain! I hope today’s newsletter will bounce us up as we contemplate the upsides and challenges of being neurodivergent, a little beauty, some creativity, and just general yeehawesomeness.
Table of Contents
Photo by Stephen Munday
War on the ADHD and Autistic Nervous System
War.
Yes, it’s happened. Again. Still.
We might not be in the blast zone, but we most definitely feel it.
And for neurodivergent people who are hyper-attuned, it means war on our systems too.
[W]hatever the body sees as a threat, its threat response will activate—regardless of how reasonable you think it is! So whether you are stalked by an animal in the woods or your boss tells you they need to talk to you privately, the stress response will be the same. For neurodivergent people, because our bodies are more sensitive to stimulation than the average neurotypical person, a loud sound or an unexpected touch can trigger this stress response, too.
She goes on to say that our sympathetic nervous system (keeps us safe) and our parasympathetic nervous system (helps us relax and recover) must be working in tandem.
But we might go into hyperarousal or hypoarousal, or a freeze state.
For neurodivergent people, it’s even more complicated:
Faux regulation is when a person looks regulated on the outside to others, but is internally stressed and dysregulated. When we are in a state of faux regulation, our nervous systems are shut down and in a hypoaroused state. So to others, we appear calm and collected, but on the inside, we are frozen and numb. Autistic people are especially prone to this. This is why, when we have a sensory shutdown we can appear calm to everyone else. This is particularly true among high-masking Autistic people who have learned to survive by shutting our bodies down.
(High-masking. Raises hand.)
If you’d like to know more specifically about resets for the nervous system, please read through Dr. Megan Anna Neff’s article that I’ve been quoting from. There are some really good ideas and resources there.
In the meantime, would you like to do 4-7-8 breathing with me?
Breathe in for a count of 4…
Hold for a count of 7…
Breathe out for a count of 8.
Whatever nervous system reset choose-your-own-adventure chapter you turn to, know that you are not alone.
We can use our voices to speak up and out.
We can write our congresspeople.
We can take a news break.
We can keep up with the news and pray through it.
We can go on walks with friends.
We can be noticers and take photographs or write poems or bake some cookies.
We can chat with trusted friends or a therapist.
We can wage war on war.
In other words…
Peace.
Ha Ha Haiku
A funny haiku for you every week in every newsletter, whether it’s one of my own or one I curate for you. HA. Ha. Haiku.
Pencil me in, please:
Eyebrows are choc’late rainbows.
Where's my pot of gold?
Photo by Abigail Munday
Condiments Day
In her February 23rd email the writer Anne Lamott (one of my faves) tells us about her grandson’s kindergarten class and what they did every Thursday.
They celebrated Condiments Day.
And this is how it worked:
Mustard, or Mustard Do. Do what you must do. What do you need to get done right now?
Catsup, or Catch Up. Is there anything you’re behind on?
Relish. What do you absolutely adore doing? Do that. Walking? Visiting the beach? Reading?
All of this is making me want a Costco hot dog. Maybe that’s what I can Relish this week.
(borrowed from Reddit)
Photo by Abigail Munday
Yeehawesome!
Yeehawesome! is a happy-brain roundup in each issue of Beany Brain. What’s happening that’s good in brain land? What’s bringing me joy?
Spring is really here! YEEHAWESOME!!! Stephen and I had a lovely afternoon out at the local 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art (plus my green tea to keep my hands warm) and at Kenrokuen garden for the plum blossoms.
Photo by Abigail Munday
Photo by Abigail Munday
My beloved kimchi is not only fantastically delicious and good for my gut, but it might also help with immunity.
Aviators for Autism! (Thanks to my dad for the link.) Here’s what they say:
At Aviators for Autism, our mission is to Expose, Educate, & Empower the Autism & Neurodiverse communities and their families in & through aviation. We strive to create inclusive opportunities through social events, airport walkthroughs, scholarships, travel support, employment initiatives, and more. Our focus is on fostering a supportive community that advocates for accessibility, inclusion, and education in the aviation industry.
Quote of the Week
The fight is here; I need ammunition, not a ride.
- President Zelensky of Ukraine, 4 years ago when Russia invaded and he was offered evacuation out of the country
Beany Brownie Points and Extra Bonus Funniness
(source unknown)
Wonderful Wednesday
Wonderful Wednesday was a day once a year in college when they would suddenly and surprisingly call off all classes and we’d play all day. The cafeteria provided special fun food and we’d do stuff outside like slip ‘n slides and jello wrestling in sumo suits. This segment of Beany Brain is dedicated to that memory of silliness and fun—no words, just a photo from the week that I’ve taken or found that reminds me to let the joy in. Since Beany Brain is published on Wednesday every week (at least, Wednesday in Japan), I hope you enjoy this Wonderful Wednesday.
Photo by Abigail Munday
Today’s Beany-full Summary:
Neurodivergent nervous systems might be on extra high alert right now with the start of another war. We need to be kind to ourselves. Dr. Megan Anna Neff provides some nervous system reset ideas.
The writer Anne Lamott describes how to celebrate Condiments Day: 1. Mustard Do: what must you do right now?; 2. Catsup, or Catch Up: what do you need to do to catch up?; and 3. Relish: what can you do right now that you relish?
Go forth in Beany joy. What will help you feel yeehawesome this week?
Thank you for reading this installment of Beany Brain! You’re very welcome to hop on by any old time.
If you’re enjoying Beany Brain, please share with a friend or seventeen at www.beanybrain.com. Cheers big time!