Strategies for Effective Self-Care When You Have ADHD

Last Update: May 17, 2024 | 3 min read

Living with ADHD brings unique challenges that can impact your mental, physical, and emotional health. Despite the benefits of self-care, individuals with ADHD often find initiating and maintaining these practices especially daunting. This article provides practical strategies tailored to the ADHD brain, helping you incorporate self-care into your daily routine effectively.

Understanding Self-Care with ADHD

Self-care involves activities that maintain and enhance your well-being. Before engaging in more complex activities like a yoga routine, it’s essential to meet basic needs like hydration and nutrition. For those with ADHD, establishing and sticking to these routines is often complicated by the brain’s unique wiring, particularly in areas responsible for planning and execution​ (Psychiatric Times)​.

Tailoring Self-Care to the ADHD Brain

Given the ADHD brain’s distinct characteristics, it's crucial to adapt self-care strategies accordingly. Here are some tips tailored for those with neurodivergent minds:

• Gamify Your Routine: Simplify self-care by imagining you’re aiding a video game character. Prioritize straightforward, essential tasks like eating, hydrating, and taking short walks over complex plans that are hard to start.
• Leverage Instant Rewards: People with ADHD often seek immediate gratification. Pair a mundane task with something enjoyable, such as listening to your favorite music or podcast while organizing, or enjoying a small treat after a meditation session.
• Distinguish Planning from Execution: Separate the planning phase from the actual doing to avoid feeling overwhelmed. Plan one day and execute the next to keep things manageable.
• Apply the Right Pressure: Create small, immediate consequences for not following through with plans, like having an accountability partner or setting firm deadlines.
• Establish a Plan to Get Started: For times when you’re feeling stuck, have a simple action plan ready. Whether it’s taking a shower, going for a walk, or calling a friend, choose activities that can easily shift your momentum.
• Simplify Your Environment: Reduce obstacles to self-care. Keep essentials like water bottles or gym gear in plain sight to remind and motivate you.

Balancing Discipline and Indulgence in Self-Care

Understanding the fine line between self-care and indulgence is crucial. Sometimes self-care means taking it easy, but it’s essential to ensure these activities genuinely contribute to your well-being. Ask yourself how the activity recharges you and whether it aligns with your long-term wellness goals.

The most important self-care strategy is to practice kindness towards yourself. Recognize that not every day will be perfect and focus on overall progress rather than daily perfection. Encourage yourself with positive affirmations that reinforce your worth and efforts.

Can ADHD Treatment Aid Self-Care?

While self-discipline is often touted as the cure-all for ADHD-related challenges, treatment, including medication, is frequently necessary to manage symptoms effectively. Treatment can significantly improve decision-making and reduce the effort needed to engage in self-care.

Finding Focus offers a streamlined approach to accessing ADHD treatment in Canada, providing diagnostic and treatment services that are both timely and affordable. If you suspect you have ADHD, start by taking Finding Focus’ free online self-assessment.

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Finding Focus Care Team

We are a group of nurse practitioners, continuous care specialists, creators, and writers, all committed to excellence in patient care and expertise in ADHD. We share content that illuminates aspects of ADHD and broader health care topics. Each article is medically verified and approved by the Finding Focus Care Team. You can contact us at support@findfocusnow.com if you have any questions!

Sources Used:

• ADDA: ADHD Motivation
• American Psychiatric Association: DSM-5 Diagnostic Criteria for ADHD
• Canadian ADHD Resource Alliance (CADDRA): Practice Guidelines for ADHD
• New Scientist: ADHD drug shortages and rising diagnoses
• Psychiatric Times: Advances in Treatments for ADHD

For more information, visit Finding Focus or consult your healthcare provider about the most suitable treatment options for you.