AuthorDeirdre Smith, ADHD Life Coach, writes about how ADHD impacts people with the brain type and the people who love them. Archives
September 2024
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Putting Your ADHD Brain to Sleep5/1/2024 Sleeping with ADHD may seem like an oxymoron, as most adults with ADHD struggle to get to sleep, stay asleep, and/or wake up. Maybe you have a combination of all those challenges! It’s estimated that 25% to 50% of adults with ADHD have problems with sleep.
Sleep is the core foundation for living well. With good sleep, our days are easier. Executive function challenges like planning, prioritizing, organizing, and decision-making are all a bit less challenging with a well-rested brain. When I work with coaching clients, we often address sleep early on because It’s a common challenge that, when addressed, can have significant positive impacts on their everyday lives. This article addresses the challenges of falling asleep. Check out my other sleep-related posts on sleep routines, daytime sleepiness, and hacks for waking up easier. You’re not alone Over 70% of adults with ADHD report having trouble falling asleep at night. Our minds are Ferraris all day long but they don’t run out of gas at 10 pm every night. They will happily keep throwing ideas at us every hour of the day & night. About an hour before your natural sleep time, you may experience a burst of energy, this happens to most people, with or without ADHD. But the ADHD brain may think it’s time to start a project or dig into something interesting which will then make it harder to relax when you want to start sleeping. Instead of thinking it’s time to get stuff done, take that last burst of energy to get ready for sleep and do your sleep routine. (add link to sleep routine post). An active option is to do some stretching which will help your body relax into sleep. Plus, stretching is something we usually put off doing, but it’s essential for our physical health (or so my trainer repeatedly tells me). Ways to Guide Your Active Mind Into Sleep Your brain is going to keep generating thoughts unless you give it something to do. Here are some ideas to try out:
Because our active minds will stay active, it’s important to not let them wander on their own when trying to go to sleep. Keep that for the daytime when you’re creating and problem-solving. With a great night's sleep, you’ll be in better shape to harness the power stored in your ADHD brain. There are things you can do before you even get around to laying your head on the pillow. Check out my blog on sleep routines for tips on preparing your brain and body for sleep.
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