I have to admit straight off the bat, I have a bad attitude when it comes to Mindfulness and Meditation. I've tried it. I don't like it and I cannot do it. My mind is too busy to sit still and focus on one thing at a time.
However, at this busy time of year, it becomes all the more vital for those of us with busy minds (and burgeoning schedules) to try and slow down, anchor ourselves in the here and now and feel like we are present in the moment. Otherwise, what is the point of running ourselves ragged all December long, only to find another festive season has hurtled past us as at the speed of light and we have barely had a moment to smell the mulled wine!
This month we have launched our ADHD Mindfulness for Busy Minds Workbook and I have to admit I have found it EXTREMELY hard! There is a distinct lack of truly practical ADHD friendly mindfulness guidance. There is, however, a wealth of scientific evidence that mindfulness practice is hugely beneficial to people with ADHD. Oh, the irony!
The fact it is difficult doesn't mean that it is impossible though. The methods that work for you will be completely individual to you and you will need to test a variety of techniques. Our unique workbook walks you through the process of creating an accessible anchor and implementing a daily mindfulness practice. And it doesn't matter if you switch up the way you do it on a regular basis, as long as you do it!
I'll share what worked for me. I started off with visualising an actual anchor (I'm autistic - I took creating an anchor very literally). In my mind I saw it crashing through the ceiling into the floor and then smashing through the ground towards the centre of the earth. The purpose was simply to get me out of my head and the swirling thoughts consuming my consciousness. It was reasonably effective for a short time.
Next, I found a bracelet that my sister had bought me years ago and added a charm from a necklace that my mother bought me (a heart shaped rose quartz). I attached it to my wrist and each time I wanted to practice mindfulness I would hold the heart charm between my thumb and forefinger and rubbing it gently whilst trying to focus only on the charm. I'll be honest, this didn't work for me at all. I tried several times with no joy and no mindful breakthroughs.
Finally, I started colouring in. Our planners have strategically placed sections ideal for colouring and shading in whenever you need to let your mind rest. This worked a treat for me. Just a few moments of focussing on nothing more that trying to stay within the lines was a great way to pull me into the present. See, it doesn't need to be fancy, expensive or entail levitating 5 inches off the floor, cross-legged whilst chanting Buddhist mantras. I haven't introduced a timer reminder because I hate being pulled away from a task when I'm in the focus zone. I know when I need a moment to anchor and refocus on the present.
As with every workbook we have included links to a variety of resources including super quick TikToks and considerably longer podcasts on the subject of mindfulness in the context of ADHD to help you get your creativity flowing. There is a solution out there that works specifically for you. You just need to find it!
Our Mindfulness for Busy Brains Workbook is available for instant download now! Or the printed version can be ordered by snail mail.
Good luck and I hope you all have a wonderful (& Mindful) Christmas!
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