Practicing kindness to ourselves as an adult with ADHD
Apr 27, 2024
auto_awesome
Tara Cousineau Ph.D., author of The Kindness Cure, discusses the importance of self-compassion for adults with ADHD. She delves into how self-compassion can impact executive functions, the science behind it, and practical ways to implement kindness in our daily lives. The conversation also touches on the physical toll of stress and lack of self-compassion, offering insightful questions for self-reflection.
Practicing self-compassion can enhance executive functions, benefitting individuals with ADHD.
Kindness and empathy require regular exercise to strengthen neural networks, promoting positive brain changes.
Deep dives
Practicing Kindness Towards Ourselves
Implementing kindness towards ourselves is crucial, especially for individuals navigating adult ADHD and burnout. Often, we are overly critical and beat ourselves up, leading to questions like 'Why am I like this?' and 'Why can't I do XYZ?'. Dr. Tara Casino, author of The Kindness Cure, emphasizes the importance of self-compassion and kindness. By showing ourselves kindness, we can navigate difficulties better and cultivate a more positive self-image.
Enhancing Compassion through Practice
Compassion and empathy are part of our neural network, but they require regular exercise to strengthen. Stress, trauma, and life challenges can short-circuit our empathy networks, affecting our executive functions. Practicing compassion, both towards oneself and others, can enhance neural networks and promote positive changes in brain physiology, fostering kindness and empathy.
The Impact of Kindness on Executive Functions
Kindness and self-compassion directly influence our executive functions. Regulating attention and emotions, especially for individuals with ADHD, is vital. By focusing on self-regulation and practicing kindness, we can enhance our overall cognitive functioning and well-being.
Creating a Supportive and Positive Social Network
Our social connections and environment play a significant role in fostering kindness and self-compassion. Dr. Casino discusses the 'three degrees of influence rule', highlighting how our actions influence others up to three degrees. Surrounding ourselves with positive, kind individuals can amplify feelings of belonging, reduce stress, and create a supportive community. Practicing kindness towards ourselves and others can have a ripple effect, promoting a more compassionate and understanding society.
Adults with ADHD need to practice more kindness to ourselves and be intentional about self compassion.
But how do we do it?
This podcast episode is dedicated to helping busy adults with ADHD fine ways to be more kind to ourselves and help us understand the science of self compassion.
Tara Cousineau PhD is the author of the book the Kindness Cure, a meditation teacher and perfectionism coach.
Tara first discusses why she wrote the book, the Kindness Cure, what prompted her and what she wanted to accomplish by having people read about kindness.
She discusses with Dave how self-compassion can directly affect executive functions and how stress can deactivate our compassion network.
She discusses the overall lessons of kindness that we need to implement in our lives and why it is so critical, especially for adults with ADHD.
Dave and Tara discussed the physical challenges that can result from a lack of self compassion and stress.
And Tara discusses kindness in practice with some questions we can all ask ourselves at any time of the day to put a more positive aspect on our lives.
**Do you want to work with Dave one-on-one? Go to www.overcomingdistractions.com and book an introductory Zoom chat. Or go directly to Dave’s calendar; https://calendly.com/davidgreenwood1/15min
Get the Snipd podcast app
Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode
Save any moment
Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways
Share & Export
Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode