BY SANDRA GUY

The harried, hours-long commutes and seemingly endless to-do lists are back. Just listen to the radio or online traffic reports, and you’re sure to hear motorists’ weary voices as they call in news of the latest roadblock.

If you find yourself getting increasingly frenzied, irritated and distracted, you may be on brain overload and suffering from attention deficit trait, or ADT, says psychiatrist Edward Hallowell, author of Driven to Distraction at Work: How to Focus and Be More Productive (HBR Press, 2015).

People with ADT have difficulty staying organized, setting priorities, and managing time.

A healthy diet, exercise and mindfulness — meditation, journaling and recognizing “fight or flight” responses when they are unwarranted — are key to staying well.

But certain vitamins can be useful, too. Consult your doctor before taking any supplements. Potentially useful vitamins include:

Ashwagandha — plant derived substances — may help boost energy levels. Adaptogens are plant derived substances that help the body better manage stress.Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), which exists naturally in the body, can be an antioxidant.Vitamin D may be needed by older adults, people who suffer from fatigue, depression and muscle weakness, and those who live in cold climates with little sun exposure.Vitamin B-12 may also help stem fatigue and anemia, especially among vegans, vegetarians and others who refrain from eating animal products and fortified foods.Creatine is an amino acid that occurs mostly in red meat and seafood. Creatine supplementation increases creatine stores in the muscles and can help improve performance during exercise.Iron deficiency can lead to a lack of energy and fatigue.L-theanine is a naturally occurring amino acid in tea. Combining L-theanine with caffeine may help increase energy and cognitive performance.Terpenes work closely with vitamins to enhance immune-boosting and a myriad of other health benefits. Terpenes and vitamins both occur naturally in many foods, such as oranges and mangos. 

The fat-soluble vitamins A, E, D and K can be classified as terpenes because they are fat, or lipid-soluble, are stored in the body’s fat cells.

Mushrooms may act as a Vitamin D source, too. Raw maitake mushrooms and portobellos exposed to UV light are among the highest in vitamin D. White mushrooms are also sold with enhanced levels of vitamin D.