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What’s the best exercise to manage ADHD symptoms?
WebMD Medical Reference – reviewed by Joseph Goldberg MD
You may have already heard that regular exercise can give your mood a boost. If you have ADHD, a workout does more than make you feel good. It can help control your symptoms too.
Even a single session of moving your body can make you more motivated for mental tasks, increase your brainpower, give you energy, and help you feel less confused. It acts on your brain in a low of the same ways as your ADHD medication.
To reap these rewards, though, you need to exercise the right way and the right amount. The key is to find an activity that fits your lifestyle and then stick with it.
Get the most out of moving around
The effects of exercise only last for so long, just like medicine. Think of your workout as a treatment “dose”. Aim for at least one 30 to 40 minute activity a day, 4 or 5 days a week.
The exercise you choose is up to you, but make sure it’s “moderately intense”, which means that during your workout:
Talk to your doctor if you’re unsure how intense your exercise should be. She may recommend you use a heart rate monitor or some other device to make sure you get the most out of your workout.
Types of exercise you can do
Aerobic exercise - this is anything that gets your heart pounding. You want to do something that raises your heart rate and keeps it there for a set amount of time, like half an hour to 40 minutes. Aerobic exercise creates new pathways in your brain and floods it with the chemicals that help you pay attention.
You can try one of these:
• running
• walking briskly
• biking, and / or
• swimming laps.
You can do these activities outdoors or indoors, but if you have a choice, go outside. Studies show that being in nature while you move can reduce your ADHD symptoms even more than when you exercise inside.
Martial arts - experts say that the more complex your exercise is, the better for your brain. Sports like karate, taekwondo, jiujitsu, and judo focus on self-control and bringing together your mind and body.
When you do martial arts, you get training in skills like:
Other complex exercises. If martial arts isn’t your thing, other physical activities that also challenge your mind and body are:
Strength training - if you’re only just starting out with exercise, go for aerobic activities like walking or jogging at first. After you’ve been at it for a while, add in some strength work for variety. Try exercises like:
Team sports - if you join a basketball team or soccer league, it may be just the thing to get you up and moving several times a week. Organised sports have all the benefits of physical exercise with the added bonus of a social group to motivate you.
Teamwork hones your communication skills and helps you think through your actions and plan ahead. Being part of a team can also improve your self-esteem.
How to keep at it
Just like medicine, exercise only helps you treat ADHD if you keep it up. But if you have problems with attention span, how do you stay the course? Try these tips:
You may have already heard that regular exercise can give your mood a boost. If you have ADHD, a workout does more than make you feel good. It can help control your symptoms too.
Even a single session of moving your body can make you more motivated for mental tasks, increase your brainpower, give you energy, and help you feel less confused. It acts on your brain in a low of the same ways as your ADHD medication.
To reap these rewards, though, you need to exercise the right way and the right amount. The key is to find an activity that fits your lifestyle and then stick with it.
Get the most out of moving around
The effects of exercise only last for so long, just like medicine. Think of your workout as a treatment “dose”. Aim for at least one 30 to 40 minute activity a day, 4 or 5 days a week.
The exercise you choose is up to you, but make sure it’s “moderately intense”, which means that during your workout:
- your heart rate goes up
- you breathe harder and faster
- you sweat, and
- your muscles feel tired.
Talk to your doctor if you’re unsure how intense your exercise should be. She may recommend you use a heart rate monitor or some other device to make sure you get the most out of your workout.
Types of exercise you can do
Aerobic exercise - this is anything that gets your heart pounding. You want to do something that raises your heart rate and keeps it there for a set amount of time, like half an hour to 40 minutes. Aerobic exercise creates new pathways in your brain and floods it with the chemicals that help you pay attention.
You can try one of these:
• running
• walking briskly
• biking, and / or
• swimming laps.
You can do these activities outdoors or indoors, but if you have a choice, go outside. Studies show that being in nature while you move can reduce your ADHD symptoms even more than when you exercise inside.
Martial arts - experts say that the more complex your exercise is, the better for your brain. Sports like karate, taekwondo, jiujitsu, and judo focus on self-control and bringing together your mind and body.
When you do martial arts, you get training in skills like:
- focus and concentration
- balance
- timing
- memory
- consequences of actions, and
- fine motor skills.
Other complex exercises. If martial arts isn’t your thing, other physical activities that also challenge your mind and body are:
- rock climbing
- dance
- gymnastics, and
- yoga.
Strength training - if you’re only just starting out with exercise, go for aerobic activities like walking or jogging at first. After you’ve been at it for a while, add in some strength work for variety. Try exercises like:
- lunges
- squats
- push-ups
- pull-ups, and / or
- weightlifting
Team sports - if you join a basketball team or soccer league, it may be just the thing to get you up and moving several times a week. Organised sports have all the benefits of physical exercise with the added bonus of a social group to motivate you.
Teamwork hones your communication skills and helps you think through your actions and plan ahead. Being part of a team can also improve your self-esteem.
How to keep at it
Just like medicine, exercise only helps you treat ADHD if you keep it up. But if you have problems with attention span, how do you stay the course? Try these tips:
- keep it interesting - switch up the type of exercise. You can stay out of a rut if you change your activity every day or week
- find a partner - a workout buddy can help you stay on track and help pass the time while you sweat
- move in the morning - if it fits in your schedule, exercise first thing in the morning before you take your medication. That way, you’ll get the most benefit from all the extra mood-boosting chemicals in your body, and
- maintain meds - exercise can give you a huge leg up on your ADHD symptoms but it doesn’t replace your medication. Don’t stop your other treatments unless your doctor says it’s okay.
