If you're feeling a little lost on where to get started with holistic health, we're here to help. This guide covers the key things you need to know about wellness and ADHD, including simple strategies you can incorporate into your everyday life.

What Does Holistic Health Mean?

Many people with ADHD have been told one of two things: that medication is the only option, or that they just need to suck it up and deal with their symptoms on their own. The truth is that incorporating a combination of ADHD medication and holistic practices into your treatment plan is the best way to keep symptoms in check and lead a happy, fulfilling life.

ADHD medications are very effective for most people who take them, and they do a great job of targeting the specific brain chemical imbalances which are associated with the disorder. But that's just one piece of the puzzle when it comes to treating ADHD.

The treatments which are most effective have a multi-pronged approach that includes not only medication but also practices which promote a healthier lifestyle. This goes beyond just getting exercise and trying to get healthy foods. It's also about managing your emotions to promote a calmer disposition, finding helpful hacks that allow you to be productive in your daily life, and getting support from your loved ones.

This is what holistic health really means: addressing not only an individual's physical health, but also their mental, emotional, and social health. All the different factors that contribute to a person's wellness are considered, which can help to produce a much more effective result.

ADHD Wellness Tips

So, what are some of the ways that you can utilize holistic practices to help with your ADHD and improve your overall wellness? There are lots of great options you can try, and testing out different options can help you find the best solutions to fit your needs and your lifestyle. Here are some of the top areas of personal wellness to focus on for better ADHD management.

Stress reduction

For many people with ADHD, stress is a major trigger for their symptoms. And to make matters worse, your ADHD symptoms can then cause you to feel even more stressed when they seem like they're out of your control.

Of course, reducing stress is much easier said than done. We can't totally avoid all sources of stress in our lives, but it's important to find some ways to minimize exposure in order to prioritize our mental health. That might mean cutting back on some personal obligations, limiting how much time you spend watching or reading the news, or even just going for a walk around the block when you feel overwhelmed. For people with ADHD, finding effective ways to reduce and deal with stress is essential for a healthy balance in life.

Mindfulness

Mindfulness is a practice that encourages you to be more fully present in the moment. It can help to quiet the mind and prevent outside influences from overwhelming us or causing feelings of anxiety or upset.

Research has found that mindfulness can actually help to reduce symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. It can also contribute to better attention levels, executive functioning, and emotional regulation. These benefits are too good to pass up, which is why it's worth it for anyone with ADHD to try to practice mindfulness in some way, whether that's through meditation, breathing exercises, or journaling.

Exercise

Physical movement is important for everyone's health. But when you have ADHD, it's not just about staying in shape or building up your endurance. Exercise has been shown to help with a range of ADHD symptoms, and it can boost your focus, relieve stress, and improve impulse control.

You don't even need to make it a high-intensity workout to get these effects. Taking a walk outside or doing yoga can help you achieve these benefits and improve both your physical and mental wellbeing.

These strategies are just the beginning when it comes to holistic approaches for ADHD. You can try out a variety of different methods to see what allows you to feel your best while also enjoying better symptom management. 

If you find your ADHD difficult to deal with right now, it's important to remember that there can be a much brighter road ahead. And at Done, you can find affordable, convenient care to help you get there. Our licensed clinicians are ready to help you not only with finding the right medication for your needs, but also helping you identify holistic practices that you can incorporate into your life. Learn more by filling out our quick one-minute online assessment today.

 

Sources:

https://www.stkate.edu/healthcare-degrees/what-is-holistic-health

https://chadd.org/adhd-weekly/feeling-stressed-it-can-make-adhd-symptoms-seem-worse/

https://www.mindful.org/what-is-mindfulness/

https://www.additudemag.com/integrative-medicine-adhd-holistic-health-wellness-guide/

https://psychcentral.com/adhd/home-remedies-for-adhd#types-of-home-remedies