This time of physical distancing and major changes in routines may offer an opportunity to incorporate into our lives practices that can heal and sustain us now and in the future. I'm thinking particularly of meditation and yoga.

 

A limited understand of these practices, perhaps especially meditation, have led many of us to think they are incompatible with ADHD. We may imagine meditation to require sitting for long periods of time while stopping our racing brains from thinking. We can't really stop our brains from thinking, but we can sit peacefully or mindfully walk while we practice becoming aware of our thoughts and choose to focus on the sensation of our breathing or of the pavement under our feet (in walking meditation). 

 

Meditation helps strengthen the mental "muscle" that allows us to notice what our brains are up to. Often we are "lost in thought" and out of touch with the present moment. Greater self-awareness and a strengthened ability to pause and come into the present moment are fundamental tools for living a rich life with ADHD; meditation and yoga help us get there. Many yoga instructors incorporate breathing and focusing on the present moment, making yoga a meditational practice as well as a physical practice.

 

Some folks with ADHD are not inclined to try meditation and yoga, but there is more and more research that shows the health benefits of both. It might be worth taking another look, because some of the research actually studies the impact of yoga and mindfulness on living with ADHD and the results are very positive!

 

 

This is clearly a stressful time! These practices can have a huge impact on our level of stress and our ability to cope with the uncertainty and concerns we all now face. I hope you'll consider them as part of your self-care routine.

 

If you have not had a chance to schedule a free half-hour of coaching with me, the offer is still open. I'd love to hear from you and connect.

 

Stay safe and well,