Discover the unique challenges of resting when you have ADHD. Exploring the balance between productivity and recovery, the discussion highlights the necessity of intentional breaks. Learn how to embrace rest as a valuable, productive time, not just downtime. Techniques like the Pomodoro method and low-stimulation activities help redefine relaxation. Unlock the secret to pacing your day and overcoming the guilt associated with taking breaks!
ADHD brains often resist rest due to a constant craving for stimulation, making downtime uncomfortable and counterproductive.
Pacing and creating scheduled breaks are essential for maintaining a healthy balance between productivity and recovery for those with ADHD.
Deep dives
The Challenge of Finding Rest with ADHD
ADHD brains often struggle to rest due to a craving for constant stimulation, making downtime feel uncomfortable. Engaging in low-stimulatory activities such as napping can be difficult, as the brain may oscillate between restlessness and a need to be productive. This discomfort can lead to pushing through exhaustion instead of giving in to rest, resulting in increased frustration and a failure to recharge. Recognizing the need for rest amidst a busy schedule is crucial, as it can prevent the cycle of fatigue and burnout that many face.
The Importance of Pacing and Scheduling Breaks
Pacing is essential for those with ADHD, as it allows for a more sustainable balance between work and recovery. Creating 'white space' in scheduling is vital, as it provides necessary transitions and time for unexpected events, preventing overload. Without scheduled breaks, individuals may mistakenly believe they can complete tasks without pause, leading to further fatigue. Understanding that rest is productive in its own right can help shift the mindset toward prioritizing recovery as part of a balanced routine.
Building a List of Restful Activities
Having a pre-prepared list of restful activities can significantly enhance the ability to relax when feeling drained or overwhelmed. Engaging in stimulating yet restful tasks, such as listening to audiobooks, taking baths, or doing light exercises, can facilitate better recovery during breaks. The challenge lies in finding enjoyable and low-key activities that provide enough engagement without overwhelming the senses. Emphasizing the value of rest and recognizing it as a powerful tool for rejuvenation can help prevent guilt associated with taking breaks, ultimately fostering a healthier relationship with productivity.
It’s that time of year again where I feel like I need a kick in the pants. My kids are back in school and it feels like I have a glut of time available. It feels like I should be knocking things off my todo list left and right.
But I’m not. I’m tired and I’m not getting things done. And it’s frustrating because it feels like now that I have this time, I’m wasting it. It feels like if I take this time for rest that I’m going to look back later and regret that I didn’t push myself harder. But rest is important even when it feels like I don’t have time for it.
Rest can feel like a foreign concept when your brain’s always on the go. It can feel like trying to sit on a treadmill that’s still running.
In this episode, we’re going to explore why our ADHD brains find rest so uncomfortable and how we can use pacing to finally make it part of our day. We're going to explore why our brains resist rest and how we can try and work in those much-needed breaks without feeling guilty. If you’d like to send me a question answer on the show feel free to head over to hackingyouradhd.com/contact and click the orange button Support me on Patreon Ask me a question on my Contact Page Find the show note at HackingYourADHD.com/194 Check out SunsamaThis Episode's Top Tips
It’s important to recognize that rest can feel uncomfortable because we aren’t getting enough stimulation in our restful activities. To solve for this we can seek ways to add low levels of stimulation so that we can better recover during our relaxation time.
We need to build white space into our calendars and schedule intentional downtime in our day to allow for rest, transitions, and unexpected events.
Coming up with ideas in the moment can be hard so prepare a go-to list of activities like reading, stretching, or listening to podcasts to help you relax when needed.
If we can shift our mindset to see rest as part of your productivity routine, it can help us reframe it into something that will better help recharge and avoid burnout without the guilt.
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