If you find yourself in ADHD overwhelm, step back and look at the situation. I found myself in overwhelm the other night when someone didn’t turn up for an important arranged meeting online.
I started to get concerned that I had got it wrong, that I had the wrong email, that I had got the wrong date. I texted a friend to see if she could help and emailed others. I began to be consumed by the situation. I sent several emails to the person that hadn’t shown up. I quickly went to a place of panic. How had I messed this up? I presumed it was me and not the other person. I was in a place of overwhelm. Eventually, I discovered a couple of hours later that she had forgotten the meeting but by this time I had gone into a bad place with anxiety, panic and overwhelm.
Stepping back from this sort of situation helps, sleep on it, revisit it the next day and see how you feel about it then. At the time of overwhelm pay attention to your breath. Do a 10 minute breathing session it will help to calm your mind and see the situation in a different way.
Coping strategies:
These are things which have been useful to me which have helped with my ADHD
1. Meditation. I do transcendental meditation. It allows me to calm down and slow my brain. Coming back to a mantra helps to slow down the chatter in my brain….
2. Breathing techniques.
3. Walking in nature in the forest or by the sea – It’s very stimulating looking at the colours of the landscape and the ambience. It can be very stimulating. Whether it’s spring, winter, summer – Immerse yourself in the colours, smells and landscape.
4. Being aware of what you eat. Watch out for sugar rushes….
5. Exercise … It stimulates and helps the ADHD brain. It can be any form of exercise – cycling, swimming, running, walking or a workout at the gym. The endorphines help.
ADHD Life Coaching 