
Attention Talk Radio ADHD and Sleep: It's Complicated, Part 2
Mar 4, 2020
Dr. Roberto Olivardia, a Harvard lecturer and ADHD expert, joins Jeff Copper to dive deep into the complex relationship between ADHD and sleep. They discuss the importance of sleep hygiene and how ADHD can hinder the formation of healthy sleep habits. Strategies for managing nighttime procrastination and optimizing sleep environments are shared, including tips on reducing screen time and crafting low-stimulation pre-bed routines. Olivardia emphasizes that valuing sleep is crucial for overall health, warning of the risks of chronic sleep deprivation.
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Sleep Hygiene Is A Health Priority
- Sleep hygiene is a set of daily habits that respect sleep and prioritize it like other health routines.
- Treating sleep seriously reframes it as essential, not optional, for cognitive and physical health.
ADHD Makes Habit Building Harder
- Building habits is more effortful for people with ADHD because it requires repeated executive function to override stimulation-seeking urges.
- Habit maintenance becomes boring, so sustaining routines needs deliberate strategies and awareness.
Start With One Daily Structure
- Create one reliable structure in your day and let it scaffold additional habits for smoother routines.
- Use strategies, systems, and external supports like therapists or coaches when self-monitoring is hard.

