Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) can feel like a heavy burden weighing down on everything you try to accomplish. From your relationships with friends to your ability to hold a job, ADHD can make all areas of life a challenge. Coping with ADHD may seem out of reach until you learn the strategies that work for you.
At Crescent City Psychiatric, we offer comprehensive psychiatry services. Below, our team discusses the top four tips for coping with ADHD symptoms. The following tools can help you maximize your mental wellness, achieve goals, and prevent ADHD symptoms from taking over your life.
Managing Your ADHD Using Our Top Tips
Your mental health impacts your relationships, educational success, career, and physical wellness. If you feel like ADHD prevents you from being the best version of yourself, try implementing the following tips to better manage your symptoms.
1. Make Organization a Habit
Organization is an overwhelming concept, especially when juggling school work, job responsibilities, appointments, deadlines, children, paperwork, and more. When things build up, the pile can feel too impossible to tackle. Try incorporating a dedicated time for organization into your daily schedule to help you handle all of your tasks.
For example, each evening, you may dedicate 10 minutes to sitting down and planning the items you need to complete the next day. Doing so can help you avoid missed assignments or late appointments.
Making organization a habit also means creating dedicated spaces for important items. When paperwork piles up in various areas of your home, your future tasks will only become more challenging. Instead, consider creating a specific organization area in your house, like an office, for filing papers, listing tasks, creating schedules, and following calendars.
2. Use Tools That Work for You
Many tools can help when coping with ADHD. Consider creating a tool kit to help you stay organized in the most efficient way. Depending on your preferences, your tool kit may include items like the following:
- Timers
- Alarms
- Calendars
- Day planners
- Paperless filing systems
- Budget trackers
- Online banking systems
- Bill pay reminders
Equipping yourself with organization tech takes the work off your hands, so you don’t even need to think about when rent is due or whether or not you can afford to purchase the new dress you’re eyeing. Using the above tools, you can set a timer to ensure that you spend the right amount of time on schoolwork or use daily planners to make sure you complete everything by the deadline.
3. Take Good Care of Your Body
When you feel exhausted and run down, you won’t have the energy to tackle the organization tips above, and things will begin piling up. Healthy self-care habits, like grounding techniques, can soothe impulsive feelings while offering much-needed relaxation so you can feel refreshed and ready for each day.
Consider the following tips:
- Ensure that you get enough sleep each night
- Exercise daily, especially outdoors
- Be sure to keep up with your hydration
- Eat a well-rounded diet with all the necessary nutrients
4. Use Positive Affirmations
Many adults and children with ADHD struggle with low self-esteem, causing the condition to often go hand-in-hand with depression. When coping with ADHD, you want to consistently use positive affirmations to boost your confidence and productivity. Any improvements you make should be celebrated.
Try the following tips:
- Use an affirmation journal to jot down positive statements about yourself
- Make small goals with yourself that you can celebrate after you’ve accomplished them
- Embrace your unique strengths rather than focusing on weaknesses
- Remember that your self-worth is not defined by your time management skills
Seek Support for Your ADHD Today
Our final tip for coping with ADHD is seeking support. Whether you need help staying focused at school or advice on healthy coping mechanisms, we’re here to assist you. Read our guide on ADHD in adults, then call Crescent City Psychiatric today at (985) 249-1322 to schedule a consultation with one of our certified professionals.
