Tips for Living with ADHD. Image credit: AdobeStock
Presented by BetterHelp.
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder—commonly known as ADHD—can pose major challenges for people of all ages. Whether you’re ten or over sixty-five, there are certain things that you need to get done, and ADHD can really complicate matters.
How can people with ADHD not just survive, but truly thrive? And how can they arrive at a point where they feel content and productive?
Let’s start by defining ADHD so we can understand why it can make life more difficult.
ADHD is a condition that affects the brain. It doesn’t affect the entire brain in the same way, however. Instead, certain areas are affected—like the frontal lobe—that are responsible for our ability to stay concentrated. So, someone with ADHD may experience a great deal of difficulty with staying organized, keeping focus, and, by extension, living a regular life.
ADHD may need to be treated with medication, but there are also certain tips that you can try to help keep yourself on task.
It’s no exaggeration to say that living with ADHD can be an immense challenge. So, if you would appreciate more guidance on the subject, don’t hesitate to check out the helpful resources available online through BetterHelp.
Now, keep on reading for seven actionable tips for those facing ADHD.
If you can’t seem to keep up with your tasks, try becoming a list maker. There are different areas of your life, so you can create different lists for these different responsibilities. For example, this might include one for your kids, one for chores, one for your work, one for your pets, one for your hobbies, etc.
Try organizing your lists either at the end of the day or first thing in the morning. This will help you stay on top of what you need to accomplish.
If you have a smartphone, then you can use the calendar app to help keep you on top of the most important things going on. For example, you can set a reminder for appointments and important tasks, which will help keep you from forgetting.
Set these as alarms with heads-up reminders and you’ll be much less likely to fall behind and get overwhelmed.
Procrastinate comes from Latin and means “for tomorrow.” And we all know how tempting this is. But if there’s something you can do right now, do it!
Putting off small things only lets them build up, so it’s best to tackle them right away when you think of them.
Most of us simply have far more stuff around us than we need. It can be much easier to work in a minimalist space as there are fewer distractions. When you get rid of clutter, you’ll be much more likely to stay on task and you’ll generally feel more at ease. Plus, you may be able to make some money if you sell your belongings.
If you have ADHD, you may have trouble staying focused. If you set timers, however, you’ll be much more likely to be productive.
You can even try setting timers for work and for breaks, which will help keep you on task and also ensure that you get the breaks you need from your work.
Speaking of breaks, these are vital in order to prevent burn-out. If you’re totally burned out, your productivity may go to zero. It’s better to give yourself lots of little breaks instead.
So, cut your schedule some slack and be sure you budget time for lunch, time for snacks, time for exercise, etc. Don’t neglect yourself when it comes to the work-life balance.
You may feel restless if you have ADHD. A good solution is to stay physically active throughout the day. Make sure you give yourself time for exercise, for taking walks, etc. Exercise may help your focus by expending the excessive energy you may have. Plus, it benefits your physical and mental health as well.
Those with ADHD or who know someone with ADHD know that it can be a tough condition to live with. Keep in mind the above tips, however, as together they can go a long way in making life less challenging.