Teen Choice Awards: A Do-It-Yourself Plan for Strengthening Your ADHD Brain

Posted by Margit Crane on August 6, 2013 in Medical Issues, Parenting Tips | ∞

Is there really a do-it-yourself way to help ADHD?

As I’ve mentioned in earlier posts, I was diagnosed with ADHD 33 years ago. I’ve learned a lot since then and have developed my own techniques and tricks.

In my previous post, I discussed alternatives to ADHD medication, including treatments such as massage, homeopathy, and chiropractic.

I want to reiterate, medications aren’t a silver bullet. You can’t learn social skills, study skills, work skills, or any other kind of skill just because you’re taking medication. Medication simply makes it easier to learn those things.

My Do-It-Yourself Plan

So I ask myself, “How can I strengthen my brain? What will make it easier for me to access more of my brain power?” “What do I need to do, day-to-day, to stimulate my motivation, desire, and action?”

DIY Ideas for Kids and Teens

little-drawer A child or teen with ADHD has his/her own needs, including nutrition, exercise, and good sleep.

Perhaps reading or playing an instrument or cooking are activities that strengthen your child.

You can help your child create his/her list.

Maybe you can create a list that you manage – “What do I need to offer my child each day.”

Just make sure these are things that will boost his/her heart as well as his/her brain … not boost your idea of what will get him/her into a better college. Just saying…

One of my clients absolutely has to spend time outside, even if it’s raining. Another has to talk to his father every night (his parents are divorced). Yet another – is strengthened by singing.

More DIY – Adults are not all that different

As an adult with ADHD I have some of the same needs as children and teens, but I also have some needs that are different.

Here’s the list of 5 things I need to do every day to keep my brain strong:

I have to eat right. If I’m putting food in my body that makes me sluggish or “dopey,” I’m clearly not accessing my full brain power.

I have to exercise. Exercise makes the gears and cogs run. Without exercise, I’m relying on leftover energy which can only take me so far and no more.

I have to meditate. Meditation wakes up the brain, honing it and polishing it. I meditate with a prayer. I believe you have to find what works for you. One way I know that this prayer works is that I can stick to it and not get irretrievably distracted. With some other “mantras,” my mind wanders immediately.

I drink a lot of water. When I lived in sunny Southern California, I drank 2-3 liters a day. Here in wet Seattle, I drink 1-2 liters a day. Water hydrates the brain and the body, and makes digestion run smoothly.

I surround myself with language that supports what I’m doing. This is definitely different for different people. Even my closest friends can have a different motivational language from me. For example, one of my friends really responds to the Nike “Just Do It” message. Another responds to the language of Alcoholics Anonymous, and another the language of the Koran. It’s important that I surround myself with MY language. My belief is that I am nothing without God so I like to surround myself with language that reminds me that God is watching over me and that I can rely on Him.

And, of course, ADD coaching supports all of these, making it that much easier to keep your brain strong and ever-growing.