Are you chronically stressed out? Do you spend so much time battling your ADHD that you don’t take time to relax? And when you do, do you feel guilty about it? You’re not alone. A lot of people with ADHD have trouble taking time for themselves. It’s so hard to get everything done that we feel like we need to work all the time to compensate. Then there’s our tendency towards inattention, distraction and restlessness, which makes it difficult for us to be present in the moment, which is what it takes to fully unwind. Hence, our chronic feelings of anxiety and stress are exacerbated.
The more you can do to reduce your overall stress level, the better you will function. Therefore, learning to relax is a critical element in your ADHD treatment plan. You need a series of small breaks throughout the course of the day. You also need longer periods of relaxation to keep stress at bay.
Still not convinced? You may need to separate your beliefs about relaxation from your beliefs about laziness. Recognize that you need relaxation just as much as you need food and water. Don’t use it as a reward. You can certainly use extra time to relax as a reward, but don’t feel like you can only relax if you’ve earned it. Kind of like food rewards – you can give yourself an extra treat for making your goal, but you wouldn’t stop eating altogether if you didn’t make it.
Know you need to relax, but just can’t do it? That’s common too. Fortunately, it’s a skill that can be developed. Like so many other things, it starts with making the decision to do it, and starting out slowly.
Schedule time in every day to relax. Here are some ideas to try:
• Do some yoga stretches
• Get a massage
• Listen to a guided imagery audio
• Do a progressive muscle relaxation exercise
• Take a hot bath
• Get a Reiki treatment
• Go fishing
• Read fiction
• Listen to soothing music
• Take three deep breaths, inhaling deeply through your nose and exhaling through your mouth
• Watch a movie
• Look for constellations
• Look for shapes in the clouds
• Kayak
• Do some Tai Chi
• Write in your journal
• Taste every nuance of your lunch
• Go for a bike ride in the country
• Drink chamomile tea
• Laugh with a friend
• Sit under a tree and listen to the birds
• Meditate
• Walk in the woods
• Find out what daffodils smell like
It doesn’t really matter how you relax. The important thing is that you do it. Not only will it help you focus, but it’s good for your heart, your mind, and your soul.
www.adhdsolutions.net
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