Tag Archive for: emotion regulation

ADHD Tool Tip: Use Humor as Your Hammer

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ADHD brings on negative emotions of guilt, shame, and overwhelm. The cloak of these emotions can feel suffocating. These negative emotions cause stress and diminished perception of agency, control, and effectiveness.

It’s important to identify positive methods of coping that can help take a break, breath in brain stimulating oxygen, and get back on track. I notice that when a coaching client finds genuine humor in herself or her situation, it breaks down resistance and opens her up to change and growth. Humor doesn’t solve her problems, but it creates the space for identifying productive possibilities.

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A sassy tee is a fun way to wear your emotions on your sleeve and leaning into how your brain works. It says, “I know who I am and I see how whacky it looks to outsiders,” with a grin and a giggle.

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ADHD challenges our working memory and can make it hard for us to call to mind a source for laughter. Stickers on laptops, water bottles, even walls, can maintain the visibility of stimuli for positive emotions. Anything that brings a smile to your face triggers the release of stress relieving endorphins in the brain.

Getting the brain engaged in reading material that is quick and easy to digest while also entertaining will enable it to

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decompress so it can return to work with more energy and focus. Take a break, reas a book, and enjoy some nuggets of humor that make you laugh but also validate you and affirm that you’re not “the only one” experiencing the world the way you do.

Combine ADHD humor with a

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coloring book for adults for a double cup of stress relief. Coloring also promotes mindfulness and concentration, creativity, and relaxation in adults. What a great way to manage guilt, shame, and overwhelm!

Indulge in whatever makes you laugh and helps you accept yourself more. If any of the items pictured in this post do that for you, you can click on the bolded text or the picture to purchase it on Amazon. As an Amazon Affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Another little sticker to leave you with a smile, a grin, a laugh, a giggle, a guffaw:

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ADHD Tool Tip: Activate Your Brain with Peppermint

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When I taught primary school, secondary school, and college students, I treated them to peppermints before each test. I had read the research regarding the positive effects of peppermint on stress, focus, memory, and other brain functions. It also made test day a little more pleasant.

For people with ADHD, maintaining focus, managing distractions, and staying mentally alert can be daily challenges. Scientific studies have demonstrated peppermint’s positive impact on attention, memory, and mood. Peppermint contains menthol, a compound known to stimulate the central nervous system. Research suggests that peppermint can increase alertness and mental clarity, enhance working memory and cognitive function, and reduce mental fatigue and stress.

Peppermint and ADHD Symptoms

1. Improving Focus and Attention

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Many people with ADHD experience brain fog and difficulty sustaining attention. Peppermint’s stimulating properties may help by increasing oxygen to the brain and promoting wakefulness. chewing peppermint gum, drinking peppermint tea, or using peppermint essential oil may provide a natural way to regain focus during tasks that require concentration

2. Reducing Hyperactivity and Restlessness

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ADHD often comes with hyperactivity or an inability to sit still. While peppermint is known for increasing alertness, it also has calming effects. Aromatherapy studies suggest that peppermint can reduce stress and anxiety, which can be beneficial for individuals who experience restlessness or nervous energy.

 

3. Enhancing Memory and Mental Organization

People with ADHD frequently struggle with working memory, such as remembering tasks, instructions, or where they left their keys. Since peppermint has been shown to support memory retention, incorporating it into daily routines might help with mental organization and recall.

4. Managing Overwhelm and Sensory Overload

ADHD brains are often highly sensitive to sensory input, leading

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to feelings of overwhelm. Peppermint’s cooling and calming properties can provide a sensory reset, helping to refocus and reduce frustration. Simply inhaling peppermint oil or using a peppermint-infused lotion can provide a moment of relief.

 

Ways to Use Peppermint for ADHD

If you want to experiment with peppermint as a natural tool for focus and mental clarity, here are a few easy ways to incorporate it into your routine:

Chew peppermint gum during tasks that require sustained attention.

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Drink peppermint tea before studying or working.

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Use peppermint essential oil in a diffuser to create a stimulating workspace.

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Apply diluted peppermint oil to your wrists or temples for an on-the-go focus boost.

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Keep peppermint candies or lozenges handy for a quick mental refresher.

If you’d like to try using products in this post, clicking on any of the highlighted words or the picture will take you to Amazon. As an Amazon Associate, I earn on qualifying purchases.