As I'm sure you know by now, it's ADHD Awareness Week! Awareness Week is an annual event that was created to spread the word that ADHD is a real condition, and to help clear up misconceptions in the general public. It's a great thing, for sure, but it might not mean a whole lot to the people with ADHD, like you and me, who are already well aware of it!
However, I do think that ADHD Awareness Week provides us with an opportunity not just to spread ADHD awareness, but to practice ADHD awareness. This is a great time to reflect inward and tune into your own ADHD, how it affects your life, and how you're able to best manage it.
The best way that I know to tune into yourself and your ADHD is to practice mindfulness meditation. Unlike other forms of meditation, mindfulness doesn't require sitting still for long periods of time, although that certainly is an option. Because mindfulness is about being aware in the present moment, mindfulness can be formally practiced while walking, eating, cleaning, or even working.
Mindfulness is all about being (and staying) calm, centered, and in the present moment. It allows you to slow down your mind and to thoughtfully take control of your actions. This practice will really help you get to know yourself and identify your ADHD triggers and challenges, and it can go a long way towards fighting stress and overwhelm.
How To Practice Mindfulness
Mindfulness meditation can be practiced any time and anywhere by simply bringing awareness to your breath, your body, and your thoughts...without judgment.
When cultivating a mindfulness practice, simply STOP:
- S. Slow down.
- T. Take a few deep breaths.
- O. Observe yourself without judgment.
- P. Proceed in the present moment.
The goal of mindfulness is really just to be fully aware of where you are in the present moment. What are you thinking? What are you feeling? Then take it a step further. What are you trying to do right now, in the present moment? What's getting in the way? What's the easiest way to proceed right now, in the present moment?
Most importantly, don't judge yourself, your thoughts, or your actions. In order to truly reap the benefits of a mindfulness practice, you must be able to observe yourself without judgment, criticism, or second-guessing. When you can do that, you'll find that you feel much more peaceful, and much less stressed.
Mindfulness meditation can teach you a great deal about yourself. It has been an invaluable tool for me and for many of my clients, and I highly encourage everyone with ADHD to give it a try! (Even kids!) Thirty minutes, fifteen minutes, or even just five minutes of daily mindfulness will teach you a lot about yourself, and have a positive and calming ripple effect on the rest of your day.
If you'd like to read more about mindfulness, then I highly recommend the books The Miracle of Mindfulness and Being Peace by Thich Nhat Hanh.
Have you used mindfulness meditation to manage your ADHD, or to build your awareness? Tell us about it in the comments below!
Coming Soon: THE Go-to Resource for Managing ADHD
The 2011 Virtual AD/HD Conference was a huge success! The response to the conference has been so overwhelmingly positive these last 4 years that it's inspired me and my team to make some changes moving forward. I can't give away too much just yet, but I can tell you that we're currently working on a relaunch of the ADDmanagement.com website with the goal of making it THE go-to resource for managing ADHD. I think you're really going to like what we have in store! Stay tuned and you'll be the first to know when the site relaunch is announced.
ADHD Awareness Week Events
- ADDA's ADHD Super Webinar
- ADHD Awareness Expo
- ADD Resources' 10th Annual Conference
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I hope you're having a great week. Remember to STOP for ADHD awareness!
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