Mindfulness is a mental state achieved by focusing one's awareness on the present moment, while calmly acknowledging and accepting one's feelings, thoughts, and bodily sensations.

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It is a practice that has been shown to be very effective for reducing stress and improving overall well-being, and it can be especially helpful for individuals with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

One of the primary challenges for people with ADHD is maintaining focus and attention.

Mindfulness practices can be helpful for improving attention by teaching individuals how to focus their awareness on the present moment, rather than getting caught up in distractions or getting overwhelmed by their thoughts and emotions.

By cultivating mindfulness, individuals with ADHD can learn to stay present and focused on the task at hand. This will improve all of their executive functioning such as memory, emotional regulation / reactivity, ability to complete tasks and make decisions.

Mindfulness can also be helpful for managing impulsivity, a common symptom of ADHD. Impulsivity can lead to hasty decisions and actions that may not be in an individual's best interest. Examples: firing off a reactive email that you later regret, impulse shopping, chasing the “squirrell”, binge eating, and more.

By practicing mindfulness, individuals with ADHD can learn to slow down and pay attention to their thoughts and feelings before acting, which can help them make more thoughtful and considered decisions. This is the definition of “Surf The Reaction”.

Viktor Frankl, was an Austrian psychiatrist, neurologist, and holocaust survivor who developed the concept of "the space between stimulus and response" in his book "Man's Search for Meaning." (which is a MUST read book).

Frankl described that this space represents the opportunity for an individual to choose how they will respond to a given stimulus or situation, rather than automatically reacting.

He believed that this choice is an essential part of what makes us human and allows us to find meaning in our lives.

In addition to improving focus and impulse control, mindfulness can also be helpful for managing the stress and anxiety that often accompanies ADHD.

Stress and anxiety can exacerbate ADHD symptoms and make it more difficult to manage the condition.

By practicing mindfulness, individuals with ADHD can learn to identify and acknowledge their stress and anxiety, and to respond to these feelings in a more healthy and adaptive way.

This can help them feel more in control of their emotions and better able to manage their ADHD.

There are a few key things to consider when incorporating mindfulness into your treatment for ADHD. It is important to find a mindfulness practice that works for you, and to be consistent in your practice.

It is also important to find a qualified instructor who can guide you through the mindfulness process and help you get the most out of your practice.

Mindfulness is a valuable treatment option for individuals with ADHD. It can help improve focus and attention, manage impulsivity, and reduce stress and anxiety. It is important to find a mindfulness practice that works for you and to be consistent in your practice, and to seek guidance from a qualified instructor to ensure you get the most out of your practice. If you are interested in incorporating mindfulness into your treatment for ADHD, let’s talk!