Slow Down the Adult ADHD Brain

If you are an adult with ADHD, you know that maintaining a slow and steady pace can be a very difficult thing to do. In the mind of a person with ADHD, there are a lot of jobs that need to get done and so little time to do it. This sends the ADHD brain on overdrive, trying to achieve everything all at once. But you need to slow down. Here are six steps that might make the task of slowing down much easier:

Steps

 * 1) Stop Working After a Designated Period of Time - Set up defined work hours and stand by them. If your boss asks you to work overtime, don’t do it if you are not required to do so. You will work more competently when you know the time you have to complete your job is fixed. Make sure you take regular breaks throughout the day and don’t come in on your day off unless you absolutely have to. [[Image:Be a Better Student Step 5.jpg|center|550px]]
 * 2) Arrange for a Night out with Others - Nothing is more enjoyable than having a night out with some people that you like. It will give your mind a chance to relax. You can join together with colleagues, friends, family, or even members of an organization or group. Either way, the overall goal is just to have a good time. [[Image:Appear Thinner Without Losing Weight Step 5.jpg|center|550px]]
 * 3) Establish a Weekly Obligation - Find a reason to go out of the house or out of the office at least once a week. Take a class on something that has nothing to do with your job. This might include yoga, karate or cooking.  Many adults with ADHD are great speakers so you might consider contacting your local Toastmasters and joining a speaking group.  Having these skills could pay big dividends for you down the road.  [[Image:Store Green Tea Step 6.jpg|center|550px]]
 * 4) Create a Journal- Maintaining a journal will allow you to act out your energy on paper. It may even help you deal with nervous tension and achieve clearness of thought. Take the time to put entries in your journal every day even if it’s only for 5 minutes! Don’t concern yourself with sentence structure, syntax, punctuation, or flow since no one else will be reading it anyway. [[Image:Be a Better Student Step 3.jpg|center|550px]]
 * 5) Meditate - There are many meditation techniques but one that works best for the ADHD brain is Mindfulness Meditation. This is merely the act of sitting still and only being there in the present. You focus your attention on your thoughts in a non-judgmental way.  You are not to think about your past actions or the uncertain future.  Just relax the mind by thinking only of what’s happening now.  [[Image:Feel Refreshed Step 5.jpg|center|550px]]
 * 6) Turn off Your Computer and/or video game console 2 Hours before Bed - Computers and video games are addictive for those with ADHD. Many with the disorder will find themselves sitting at the computer or video game console until 3 o'clock in the morning completely occupied and exploring something totally arbitrary. It is not wise to step away from the PC and immediately go to bed.  The computer can sometimes over-stimulate the brain.  This stimulation can make it very difficult to sleep.  And lack of sleep can make a person with ADHD irritable in the morning and puts the brain back on overdrive to compensate for the loss.  [[Image:Organize a Small Office or Guest Room Step 2.jpg|center|550px]]

Tips

 * Follow these steps on a consistent basis and you'll be on your way to a more calm and steadier lifestyle.

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Sources and Citations

 * http://www.add-adhd-treatments.com/Adult-ADD.html
 * http://www.webmd.com
 * http://www.nimh.nih.gov