Ever feel like your brain is shifting along like a snowball rolling down a hill, gathering more material and speeding up as it goes? Wouldn’t it be great to slow it down a bit, or be able to choose the direction it takes next?
Not only do I have first-hand experience of this, most of my clients do too. That sense of hopelessness as you battle to switch off and relax even if you’ve managed to set aside the time and reduce distractions. How frustrating is that?!
That was how it was for me until I managed to cultivate a mindfulness practice. I’m still an ADHDer, but I have been able to teach my old brain some ‘new’ tricks. Mindfulness is a reliable way to do that, a way to calm that storm in your head. It’s not about becoming something you’re not, achieving some elevated zen-like state of enlightenment. Instead, it’s a way of gently guiding your attention back to the present moment when you recognise that your brain has become side-tracked
Think of it like this—your brain is a high-powered computer with a million tabs open at once. Mindfulness helps you to look at only one of those tabs at a time, while remaining aware that the others are there to choose when you’re ready to change the subject.
Buy one, get six free: ADHD often comes with a pack of unwelcome associates—stress, anxiety, and trouble focusing. Mindfulness can be a powerful tool to help you manage these challenges:
- Stress: That feeling of being overwhelmed by a never-ending to-do list? Mindfulness helps us become aware of these stress triggers and respond thoughtfully, rather than reacting impulsively. As Jon Kabat-Zinn, a pioneer in mindfulness, says, “Mindfulness means paying attention in a particular way: on purpose, in the present moment, and non-judgmentally.”
- Worry / Anxiety: Our brains love to get stuck in future-thinking loops, leaving us feeling anxious. Mindfulness helps us anchor ourselves in the present, reducing worry and anxiety. Thich Nhat Hanh, a revered Zen Buddhist teacher, reminds us, “The only moment that is real is the present moment.”
- Unreliable Focus: Ever start a task and then find yourself doing something seemingly unrelated in a different place while the deadline for the original task zips past you like an arrow? Mindfulness strengthens our focus by training us to observe our attention and gently guides it back when it flits away.
Now, I know what you’re thinking: “But with my ADHD brain, how can I possibly practice mindfulness?”
Here’s the good news: anyone can learn mindfulness, even with ADHD. If you’re feeling curious to have a wee go at mindfulness on your own, look out for our free Mindfulness for Daily Living tips coming soon.
Remember: Mindfulness is a practice, not a destination. Some days will be harder than others. But with consistent effort, you can train your brain to be more present, leading to a calmer and clearer mind—even with ADHD.
So, ditch the mental maze and give mindfulness a try. You might be surprised by the inner peace you discover. And if you ever need some extra support, we’re always here to help!
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07537 142908
