Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (commonly referred to as ADHD) is a medical neurological disorder. While individuals can experience a variety of different symptoms, ADHD primarily affects someone’s ability to organize, focus, and concentrate. This doesn’t only pose challenges when being in learning and working environments, but also day to day tasks.
Here are a few ways you can manage your ADHD symptoms, and get the most of out every day.
Stay Organized
From to-do lists to calendars and planners, staying organized is a great way to prevent yourself from feeling overwhelmed. Having a notebook and pen handy is great if you want to write down appointments, tasks, or ideas without worrying about cluttering brain space. Break down your week into days, and days into smaller tasks and benchmarks.
Get Enough Sleep
Powering through the day on only a few hours of sleep can be rough for anyone, and particularly those with ADHD. The less time you spend sound asleep, the more exaggerated ADHD symptoms become. Although one of the symptoms of ADHD can be trouble sleeping, minimizing screen time and managing stress can help you get some shut eye, faster.
Practice Self Care
Whether reading a book, painting, or taking the dog for a walk – self-care is always a good idea. Doing something you enjoy can help relieve stress and realign focus. Furthermore, eating a well-balanced diet and practicing mindfulness or meditation are other great ways to help manage your ADHD symptoms.
Learn to say No
Those with ADHD sometimes have trouble controlling impulses, and may easily find themselves having bitten off more than they can chew. Whether it be at work or at home, trying to juggle too much can leave you exhausted and burnt out. Learning to say no, and realizing that its okay to say no, can improve your ability to stay organized and focused.
Marathon Mentality
Managing ADHD isn’t something you only have to worry about at school or work – it requires your attention 24/7. Figure out what practices work best for you based on schedule and lifestyle – and then make them a habit. Long-term success with managing ADHD symptoms may seem daunting, but take it one day at a time.
While some days will be better than others, having the ability to recognize and manage your ADHD symptoms is a powerful thing. Figuring out what works best for you and your symptoms will help you feel confident and empowered, regardless of your environment.
Sources:
https://psychcentral.com/blog/12-best-tips-for-coping-with-adhd/
http://caddac.ca/adhd/understanding-adhd/in-general/
https://self-reg.ca/2016/01/26/the-self-reg-view-of-adhd/
https://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/your-adhd-brain-stay-organized-forget-less-get-more-done-0509174