10 Things That Have Helped My ADHD
Everyone who has ADHD is unique. Therefore, ADHD affects everyone differently. My experience may not be the same as your experience. However, there are a few things that have helped my ADHD that might help yours as well. I have listed them below, and I hope you will find them helpful in your life if you are not already using them.
1.) Learning about ADHD
As the old saying goes, “Knowledge is power.” The more you learn about ADHD, the more you will be able to manage it. In my experience, reading the works of Dr. Edward Hallowell, Dr. Russell Barkley, and others have been of great benefit to me in my ADHD journey. Furthermore, YouTube is another great place for resources. There are tons of valuable videos on ADHD available on YouTube.
However, I am probably preaching to the choir on this one. If you are reading this, then you probably recognize the importance of learning about ADHD for one’s ADHD management.
2.) Medication
Medication has helped me focus better. Is it a miracle-worker? No. I still get distracted, but I focus better on my medication. I feel off if I don’t take it. If you have never tried medication for your ADHD, I recommend at least trying it. Now, medication does not work for everyone, but the only way to know if it works for you is to try it.
3.) Memory Tricks
Speaking of medication, one of the things I do to help me remember whether or not I have taken my medication is to flip my pill bottle upside down before bed. When I take it in the morning, I flip it right side up. That way, I can tell whether or not I have taken my medication simply by looking at the position of the bottle. Using memory tricks like these have been key to helping me with my working memory deficits.
4.) Community
Having ADHD can be difficult. You do things differently. People see you as different. This creates isolation, especially if you are not diagnosed until later in life. Through all of this, you begin to feel alone. BUT, you are not alone. There are other ADHDers out there. Connect with them! Engaging in the ADHD community has been wonderful in my own ADHD journey. Being around others who “get it” is an amazing feeling. It is a welcoming community, so if you are feeling alone, seek out the ADHD community.
5.) Writing about ADHD
One of the ways I learned to cope with my ADHD is writing about it. By putting my thoughts and ideas down on paper (or a screen), I can better understand my ADHD and how it affects my daily life. I am forced to come up with ideas for how to manage it and try them out. Writing has been therapeutic for me.
6.) Standing up for Myself and What I Need
In order to fully function as an ADHD adult, I need to stand up for myself. I need to ask for what I need. This world was not made for us ADHDers, so we need to become our own advocates. Asking for what we need to be successful is sometimes the only way to succeed. I know my life has improved those times where I stood up for myself and what I need.
7.) Having a Dog
Dog ownership is a great way to learn skills that one needs to be a successful adult. Owning a dog helps you learn responsibility. Having a living being depend on you for food, exercise, and care is a great way to learn. When potty training your pup, you need to learn time management, or else you will get urine on your floor. They also teach you patience, something that is not always easy for ADHDers. Moreover, a dog loves you unconditionally. This helps you learn that you are loveable. Read more about why I think every ADHDer needs a dog here.
8.) Sleep
When I do not get enough sleep, my focus is off and my medication does not work as well. Getting at least 8 hours of sleep is key to me functioning as normal as possible. I cannot stress enough how important sleep is. I have written several blogs on falling asleep, getting out of bed in the morning, and the general importance of sleep. Read those blog posts here. Then, I recommend you get comfy and get some sleep!
9.) Laughter
One of the best ways I have found to cope with having ADHD is to laugh. When I am stressed or sad, I find a way to laugh. Without laughter, my day is dreary. Science backs this up; laughter is good for you. The best part about this is we ADHDers have great senses of humor. Sure, it may be a zany sense of humor, but it is a great sense of humor. So, laugh it up.
10.) Coaching
I am a coach, and I have a coach myself. It is an important way to make sure I know what I am doing in my life and making sure everything is lined up with my goals and values. Having regular contact with my coach has helped create stability in my life. Moreover, when I slip up, I know my coach will be there to help me up and see what we can do to avoid messing up in the future.
Does this sound like something you desire in your life? Then, I suggest you explore coaching for yourself.