August 18, 2017
MADELINE JOHNSON
A lot of people dealing with ADD or ADHD often perceive themselves as constantly weighed down with every day life. Some days, they wake up feeling like they are already behind schedule on all of the things they have to do, burn through the entire day on high-speed to get everything completed, and yet still go to bed feeling as if they never accomplished anything. Other times, they use up the entire day in a fog, continuously conscious of all of the things on their to-do list but never managing to focus on the tasks at hand. This leaves the average person with ADD/ADHD feeling disorganized, discontent, lethargic, and guilty.
When it comes to managing your ADD/ADHD symptoms, here are eight tips to help you feel more focused, productive, and refreshed.
Slow Down
It sounds obvious because it’s true. ADDers often appear to be stuck working in overdrive, leaving them feeling exhausted mentally and physically. Give yourself a moment to slow down when you feel hurried or stressed. While taking a break might seem counterproductive to accomplishing time-sensitive tasks, stopping to catch your breath and consider your approach will help things get solved more quickly and easily.
Practice Self-Care
People with ADD or ADHD can often feel pressured to put themselves and their needs last. However, if you’re committed to “getting it together,” you’ll actually need to do the exact opposite. Set aside time and energy for yourself by establishing self-care rituals. If you can make time to recharge, then you’ll have plenty of energy to commit to managing your symptoms.
Know Yourself
ADD and ADHD affects everyone in different ways and to different degrees. Rather than just looking up other people’s stories, it’s important to understand how your own experience factors into your diagnosis. Be conscious of how your symptoms influence your life and what sort of triggers might be setting you off. The best way to handle your unique set of struggles is to find a solution that’s unique to you.
Use Your Learning and Processing Methods
Be able to recognize and categorize the natural methods in which you are able to carry on concentrating and processing information and feelings. The more acquainted you are with how your brain (and your symptoms) work, the more control you will be able to exercise over them. And the more control you wield, the simpler your personal and professional lives will seem.
Concentrate on Your Strengths
Don’t just focus on your weaknesses and shortcomings. ADD/ADHD isn’t all bad – it can also provide a lot of cool benefits, like better multitasking and increased creativity! Everybody has their own strengths and aptitudes. By spending more time doing things you’re good at, you’ll be able to add to your feelings of sense worth and overall contentment.
Think Optimistically
Similarly, don’t let yourself dwell on negative thoughts and feelings. Pessimistic thinking will hold you back and keep you from realizing your full potential while optimistic thinking will boost you ahead. Rather than telling yourself that you can’t do something, ask yourself how you might better accomplish it or what a realistic alternative could be. Believe in yourself and the rest will come naturally!
Plan the Time to Plan Everything
Planning doesn’t always come effortlessly to ADDers. In order to have more efficient time management, try developing tools and methods to help with planning and task execution. Sometimes, with ADD and ADHD, you need to take things one step ahead and plan out how you’re going to handle a situation before introducing yourself to it. Before taking on a major task or time constraint, map out a realistic schedule that will guide you through it.
Take Challenges
This doesn’t mean things like speed racing or skydiving (unless you want to!). Tackling ADD/ADHD means stepping out of your comfort zone and doing things that intimidate you, especially things you might feel limited by because of your symptoms. The best way to tackle your symptoms is to always be pushing your boundaries and finding out what more you can do.
Never settle for less!
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