Meditating etc — ADD Tip o the Day 330

Important for ADD or ADHD – will power etc. Turns out it’s not just will power. Research is showing that we awaken each AM with a limited pool of psychic energy, which gets used every time we exert will power, make a decision, problem solve or calculate. As it drops, it becomes more difficult to do any of those things. The energy pool can be partially replenished by food or a nap, and meditating adds to it.

I am no good at meditating, but do it every AM. I have a set time for it, so it has become a habit, like brushing my teeth. I cannot empty my mind, but just notice the thoughts and let them pass through without getting involved in them. When I do get involved, I say my mantra and let them go. I can only do this for 5 minutes, maybe 15 on a really good day. It noticeably makes the day go better.

The sitting may be a form of meditation, but I don’t think of it that way. I try to just sit for a few minutes several times a day and do nothing, physically or mentally. Preferably this is outside, and I can watch the clouds or the birds ( is that doing something?). This sitting helps too.

All of this helps thru the day to stay more focused, minimize getting distracted or feeling stressed or overloaded. That’s a great benefit with ADD or ADHD and makes me more productive.

doug

“Too busy to meditate”, from Ronen clik here

Sitting clik here

Quiet Mind clik here

“Sorry, I don’t have time to take the time management course.”

About doug with ADHD

I am a psychiatric physician. I learned I have ADHD at age 64, and then wrote two ADHD books for adults, focusing on strategies for making your life better. I just published my first novel, Alma Means Soul. Your Life Can Be Better; strategies for adults with ADD/ADHD available at amazon.com, or smashwords.com (for e books) Living Daily With Adult ADD or ADHD: 365 Tips O the Day ( e-book). This is one tip at a time, one page at a time, at your own pace. It's meant to last a year. As a child, I was a bully. Then there was a transformation. Now I am committed to helping people instead abusing them. The Bully was published in January, 2016. It's in print or e book, on Amazon.

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7 Responses to Meditating etc — ADD Tip o the Day 330

Pingback: Helpful Things for ADD ADHD – Meditation Light??? – – – ADD Tip O the Day 611 | ADDadultstrategies
Deb Burdick, LCSWR, BCN says:

November 2, 2012 at 7:23 pm

Although it’s helpful, there is no need to do a formal sitting meditation to reap the benefits of being more mindful throughout the day. Learning to focus on a task, acknowledging distracting thoughts, and letting them go without engaging can be done while driving, taking a shower, eating, writing a report, or whatever task you set the intention to focus on. This can really help people with ADHD who might otherwise feel overwhelmed by the thought of sitting still and trying to clear their mind of thoughts. A walking meditation or being mindful of surroundings while walking can also be really great for people who have trouble sitting still. Deb

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- addadultstrategies says:
  
  November 2, 2012 at 7:39 pm
  
  nice ideas. i think a lot of us have misconceptions about what is “required” for meditation.
  thank you for commenting
  doug
  
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addadultstrategies says:

October 20, 2012 at 5:34 pm

good! maybe there are a lot of nonspecific things – like a walk- that do help; espefcially when feeling overloaded.
always thank you for commenting
doug

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- Scott Marckx says:
  
  October 20, 2012 at 7:43 pm
  
  The walk or exercise is about getting my heart rate up for 15 or 20 minutes. There are a bunch of studies mentioned by John Ratey in his book “Spark” that say exercise creates chemicals that they refer to as “miracle grow for your brain”. Maybe it is just because I believe it is happening, but I’ve noticed getting out for a brisk walk really helps my brain to calm down. I am trying to make it one of my habits or strategies: Cue, feeling confused, frustrated, spacey, then go for a walk or something to get my heart rate up to 60% of my maximum heart rate for at least 15 minutes, feel better. I’m still not there, and most of the time it is difficult to fit in, but when I do it, it seems to help. There is walking meditation too, but I haven’t explored that yet. Thank you again for your book and the whole concept of the strategies.
  
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  - addadultstrategies says:
    
    October 20, 2012 at 8:22 pm
    
    that makes sense, tho i’m not clear how it works. i think for one thing it helps us focus on something else for a while and somehow helps get things into perspective. and i like your concept of a cue and making it a habit.
    thanks for the comments
    doug
    
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Scott Marckx says:

October 20, 2012 at 3:52 pm

Thank you for this post! When I was first being diagnosed with ADD a friend told me that meditation really helped him with his ADD. I’ve been trying… Also, making a very small aspiration, something I feel will help with the day, but is really easy to do, so I will succeed, has helped me a lot. It’s interesting how it seems just trying to meditate, even if I’m not “successful” at it, helps. Sometimes when my brain feels fried, I go for a walk or do 15 minutes or so of exercise and that helps too.

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