I am a big fan of the television show Mad Men. One of my favorite moments on the show (SPOILER ALERT) was the season finale. The series ends with Don Draper in a yoga pose at a New Age camp in California. He smiles, and for the first time in the duration of the show, he looks happy.
We have come a long way since the 1960s. There is probably not a day that goes by that I don’t read something about mindfulness. The movement that started 35 years ago is now mainstream. Mindfulness and meditation are practiced by people of all ages.
Mindfulness in its simplest terms means to focus on the present moment, without judgment[1]. Meditation is not the only way to practice, but it is often associated with mindfulness because it helps to quiet the mind and raise awareness of what is going on in your space.
Can mindfulness and meditation benefit those with ADD/ADHD? Studies have shown mindfulness and meditation to be an effective intervention for ADD/ADHD[2]. Mindfulness and meditation has been shown to help with both attention and impulsivity issues. Learning to sit still and focus on oneself is a great behavioral intervention for those with ADD/ADHD.
About a month ago, I decided to try and find out what the hoopla was all about. I am, like many of my friends and colleagues, a member of the so called “sandwich generation”. I am the caregiver for my elderly parents, and I have a family of my own. I do all of this while managing my own business. At times, the stress and fatigue seem too much to handle. I needed to find ways to take better care of myself. I am on my own mindfulness journey now – exercising, eating healthy, working on getting enough sleep, and meditating – all of the things that I recommend to my clients!
For years I have been working on exercising and eating healthy, so I consider myself to be experienced in those tasks. However, I am definitely a newbie to meditation. I don’t know much about it, but I would like to learn more. As I often advise my clients, the best way to start a new task is with a small step. My small step was to download one of the popular meditation apps, and I have committed to 10 minutes per day. I am really enjoying it! It helps me feel settled, and able to handle what comes of the day.
Mindfulness and meditation are great ways to help manage ADHD/ADD. So, find your favorite app and give it a try.
[1] http://greatergood.berkeley.edu/topic/mindfulness/definition
Meet Coach Diane
I have been an ADHD and executive function coach since 2009. In addition to having my PhD in Human Services: Child Development and Family Studies, I hold a Professional Coach Certification (PCC) with the International Coach Federation. I have been a certified teacher for CHADD’s (Children and Adults with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) Parent to Parent program, Impact ADHD’s Sanity School for Parents, and The Nurtured Heart Approach.
