Lifestyle Therapy for ADD [HD BizBlog- The Blog: Productivity in Context]
As part of my quest to overcome my own ADD difficulties through lifestyle changes, rather than medication, I offer the following tips. (Please note, I am not a doctor! Discuss any changes with a physician before beginning. These tips are based on my own, unscientific experiences and research)
- Positive Human Contact Face-to-face interaction is very good for everyone, in terms of slowing down our mental processes in order to communicate with another person. Your brain is able to think at a rate of 500+ words per minute, but we tend to speak at 100-200 words per minute. Taking the time to listen and interpret what others are saying is healthy brain excercise.
- Spend less time with electronics Recent research indicates that not all ADD/ADHD symptoms fall into the genetic neurological, dysfunctional or disabled categories. Often children diagnosed as ADHD have experienced too much information in sound and picture images (via TV and video games) coming at them too rapidly for them to process. They are overloading their senses and are unable to understand what these images represent at this speed. As a result the left side of the brain is unable to fully integrate what the right side of the brain is experiencing.
- Get enough sleep Getting enough sleep means going to bed and sleeping until you wake up on your own.
A study of 866 children between the ages of 2 through 13 found that youngsters who frequently snore or have sleep disorders are almost twice as likely to suffer from ADHD than those who sleep well.
“Inattention and hyperactivity among general pediatric patients are associated with increased daytime sleepiness and – especially in young boys – snoring and other symptoms of SDB (Sleep Disordered Breathing),” wrote Dr. Ronald Chervin, a University of Michigan neurologist and sleep researcher. “If sleepiness and SDB do influence daytime behavior, the current results suggest a major public health impact.””
- Eat a balanced diet While somewhat unscientific, there is anecdotal evidence that diet can be a major factor in your ADD expression. Reduce sugar intake, as well as refined carbohydrates while increasing protein consumption. Be careful of foods that are frequently associated with allergies, such as milk, eggs, and wheat.
- Regular excercise Being active is good for your body and your mind, whether you have ADD or not. Aerobic exercise increases levels of the neurotransmitters dopamine, serotonin and norepinephrine. These neurotransmitters provide emotional stability, the ability to focus, mental alertness and calmness. Conversely, a deficiency in neurotransmitters can cause depression, mood swings, irritability, anxiety, attention problems, stress and sleep problems.
- Prayer or meditation There is evidence that meditation can be a powerful tool in controlling the symptoms of ADD:
Meditation can help improve symptoms in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), an international psychiatry conference heard this week.
The Australian study in 48 children diagnosed with ADHD found Sahaja yoga meditation led to an average 35% reduction in symptom severity over six weeks, and enabled many to reduce their medication.
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Original post here: Stephen
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