THE 12 BIGGEST MISTAKES Those With ADHD MAKE

If you want to enjoy your own or a loved one’s ADHD brain for as long as possible you must protect it. Brains are fragile and unfortunately, a little damage goes a long way. Even though it’s not always possible to prevent accidents, there are some things you can do right now that will protect your brain just in case.

Despite what the media says, alcohol is NOT a health food! Most of us know that alcohol, nicotine, excessive caffeine, environmental pollutants, and manufacturing chemicals, are not good for our ADHD brains. They reduce brain blood flow which interferes with our ability to think. However, there are other toxins in your ADHD brain you might not have ever considered trying to eliminate a description about this item.

Noise pollution, including high-pitched whining noises, can come from many sources. Examples include the hum from fluorescent lights, air conditioning, heating units, appliances, and a clock. And although we cannot always detect these waves of sound with our ears our bodies sense them. This is why you feel so at peace when you completely unplug and are in nature and the wilderness.

Some sweeteners, like Aspartame and Saccharine, are known to affect some individuals negatively and could lead kids with ADHD to have headaches or learning problems. Artificial sweeteners can make ADHD and sugar cravings worse. Artificial colorings and flavorings can also disrupt brain functioning.  In Europe, there are warning labels on foods containing artificial colorings and flavorings. https://www.drakeinstitute.com/

Chronic Sugar Intake and ADHD Show Changes in Dopamine and D2 Receptor Signaling, Similar to Drug Addiction. Meaning: Our bodies have evolved to handle other than in very minute doses in fruit or honey forms. Although we now know that sugar does not cause ADHD, it is clear it is not good for optimal performance of the ADHD brain. Consuming refined or processed sugars has been linked to bad memory, poor cognitive performance, decreases in brain growth hormone, inflammation, and depression.

The brain is at least 60% fat and its one hundred billion nerve cells are lined with essential fatty acids that support and enhance your brain power. Even though the brain takes up only about 2-5% of human body weight it uses up to 30% of our caloric intake. It just happens that fats, an essential macronutrient, have just the kind of fuel the brain needs to stay healthy. Just remember that all fats are not equal. Good fats, saturated fats, and fatty acids are ideal and must come from our diets.

Setting goals and working to achieve them provides motivation and a sense of accomplishment. we want and achieve it—a promotion, an ice cream cone, a hug from a loved one, a completed to-do list—our brain releases dopamine. For instance, your brain may receive a surge of dopamine if you promise to clean out the garage, and then you do. This is why so many people with ADHD like to-do lists.

Humans are hard-wired for social interaction. Meaningful relationships nourish and engage our brains. Activities that interfere with communication, relationships, and social interactions, like screens or technology, take away from social interaction. Our ADHD brain thrives on interacting with others and engaging in activities such as exploring, playing, creativity, and being in nature.

Your brain is like a muscle—the more you use it, the stronger it gets! Your ADHD brain thrives on new challenges, adventures, experiences, and learning. Learning stimulates neuron growth in the brain. The more you practice a new skill the thicker the myelin in your brain becomes, which means you learn faster and better.  

Your mind and body are connected. Moving or exercising helps your ADHD brain. It boosts balance, motivation, energy, motor function, and thinking. It increases blood and oxygen flow to the brain, which then increases our physical health, mental and emotional well-being.

Research has shown that even 20 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise improves ADHD symptoms. Research has also shown that people who exercise have greater brain volume in areas associated with reasoning and executive function.

During sleep, our body and brain are restored. Our muscles are repaired, immune cells are free to race around our bodies protecting us, hormones are balanced and the brain sorts the emotions and memories of our day. We can’t survive without it. The closer we get to the optimal amount of sleep, eight hours for adults and more for kids and teens, the healthier our ADHD brains are. 

Ghoul thinking…those sneaky, persistent, and pervasive automatic negative thoughts that pop up in your brain and ruin the rest of your day. Left unmanaged, they take over your thinking and add further injury by causing stress hormones to circulate through your body. When that happens it lowers your brain and thinking capacity, makes you gain weight, and puts you at greater risk for cognitive challenges as you age.