Imagination: Friend or Foe?

Those of us with ADHD have vivid imaginations. We have a crazy amount of ideas and are prone to thinking differently. Our imaginations are powerful, but is this power good or bad? That is a question worth exploring. People believe Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Edison had ADHD. One of the reasons for this belief is that they were incredibly inventive. They thought outside of the box.

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Advice, Tips, Strategies, Wisdom, Productivity, Time Management Evelyn Gallagher Advice, Tips, Strategies, Wisdom, Productivity, Time Management Evelyn Gallagher

Using a Timer to Boost Productivity

A common suggestion for productivity assistance for ADHDers is using a timer. This is often suggested for time management purposes, but I see two different ways this could help the productivity of an ADHDer. The first is the aforementioned most common explanation given for suggesting the use a timer, and the other one is a way it has been used in my own life. These two methods use opposite functions of a timer, counting down and counting up.

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Wisdom, Prayer, Spirituality, Advice, Tips Evelyn Gallagher Wisdom, Prayer, Spirituality, Advice, Tips Evelyn Gallagher

How Faith Leaders Can Support ADHDers

When a person struggles with hyperactivity, impulsivity, inattention, and executive functions, they will struggle in their spiritual life. There are very little resources avail even addressing how to manage one’s spiritual life when one has ADHD. It has been my observation that very few, if any, faith leaders (priests, pastors, rabbis, imams, etc.) offer guidance on managing ADHD and one’s spiritual life. Therefore, I offer this challenge to faith leaders of all religious backgrounds: Research ADHD and how you can minister to those members of your flock who have ADHD.

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Advice, Strategies, Tips, Wisdom Evelyn Gallagher Advice, Strategies, Tips, Wisdom Evelyn Gallagher

You Need a Team

Our society places high regard on individual effort. We are expected to work hard and show no weaknesses. However, we are social beings. We need others. When life gets tough, there is no shame in seeking the support of others. In fact, it is the smart thing to do.

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Information, Crime, Strategies, Advice, Tips, Wisdom Evelyn Gallagher Information, Crime, Strategies, Advice, Tips, Wisdom Evelyn Gallagher

The ADHD-Crime Connection

One of the saddest facts about ADHD is that it increase the likelihood a person will commit a crime. That is not to say that everyone with ADHD will become a criminal. Many people with ADHD do not commit crimes, but there is an increase likelihood of criminal behaviors in persons with ADHD.

There are several areas in which to examine a connection between crime and ADHD: How prevalent is crime among those with ADHD, why ADHDers are more prone to commit crimes than others, and how to prevent ADHDers from committing crimes.

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Advice, Information, Personality, Strategies, Tips, Wisdom Evelyn Gallagher Advice, Information, Personality, Strategies, Tips, Wisdom Evelyn Gallagher

How to Explain Your ADHD

I was once catching up with an acquaintance I had not seen in a long time, and it came up in conversation that I have ADHD. She had never known that about me and had never really had ADHD explained to her before. She asked, “ So, what is that like fo you? Like, how does that feel?” I hesitated and did not really know what to say. Of course, I know what it is like to have ADHD. I have it; I know what it is like. But, when it comes to explaining it, especially to someone who has no concept of what it is like, it is incredibly difficult. Furthermore, I do not know what normal is. How do I even know I am covering everything? Even though I have been diagnosed with ADHD for over 5 years, I am still finding out new things about ADHD that make me go, “Oh," that is why I do that weird thing!”

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Advice, Encouragement, Positivity, Strategies, Tips, Wisdom Evelyn Gallagher Advice, Encouragement, Positivity, Strategies, Tips, Wisdom Evelyn Gallagher

Self-Awareness Leads to Self-Advocacy

Knowledge is power, and it is even more powerful when it is self-knowledge. One of the best things you can do to manage ADHD and improve your life is to know yourself better. Self-exploration is something everyone should do, regardless of whether they have ADHD or not. When you know yourself and your needs, you are better able to articulate what you need from others. This takes time, but it is well worth it.

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Encouragement, Positivity, Strategies, Tips, Strengths Evelyn Gallagher Encouragement, Positivity, Strategies, Tips, Strengths Evelyn Gallagher

The Importance of a Strengths-Based Approach to Managing ADHD

Reset ADHD advocates a strengths-based approach to managing the symptoms of ADHD. This method relies on what the ADHDer does well, as opposed to those areas of struggle. This approach has more promise than one that tries to fix those areas where an ADHDer struggles. Instead of focusing on our weaknesses, those of us with ADHD should focus on our strengths. Yes, ADHD will cause us challenges, and we need strategies to overcome those challenges. But, relying on a skill in which we are not proficient to overcome a challenge is not a recipe for success. Using your strengths can build up confidence and can help you overcome challenges created by your weaknesses.

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Tips, Advice, Strategies Evelyn Gallagher Tips, Advice, Strategies Evelyn Gallagher

How to Make a Decision When ADHD Makes Everything Enticing!

ADHD can make a person indecisive. Many things interest the ADHD brain, and ADHDers are constantly being distracted by something new and exciting. Moreover, when there are too many options from which to choose, ADHDers can get overwhelmed and become paralyzed. This can be frustrating, but here are some strategies that might help you break your pattern of indecision.

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Advice, Tips, Exercise Evelyn Gallagher Advice, Tips, Exercise Evelyn Gallagher

An Exercise for Your Body as Well as Your Brain

Extreme puzzle involves doing a jigsaw puzzle and running. I do the puzzle on my kitchen counter and, for every piece I place in the puzzle, I sprint up a nearby staircase. I have to hit both feet on the top of the stairs, it does not count. Typically, the sprint up the stairs occurs immediately after the piece has been placed in the puzzle. However, if I get on a roll, I allow myself to connect all of the pieces I can and then do however many sprints I owe in a row. For example, if I saw three pieces that I could immediately connect to the puzzle, I would place those three in the puzzle, and then I would do three sprints up the stairs in a row.

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Advice, Exercise, Tips Evelyn Gallagher Advice, Exercise, Tips Evelyn Gallagher

A Non-Boring, Physical, and Creative Exercise from My Youth

Exercise is BORING. This means it is hard for me to enjoy doing it, and when I do not enjoy doing something, there is a good chance I won't do it. That is why I continue to find new and exciting ways to exercise. However, to make exercise fun, it is sometimes beneficial to bring back a physical activity you did as a kid.

I don't really have a name for this exercise routine. Lately, I have been calling it "Imaginary basketball." Essentially, it is a basketball game involving only yourself. You take control of both teams and dictate how they perform.

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Advice, School, Strategies, Tips Evelyn Gallagher Advice, School, Strategies, Tips Evelyn Gallagher

Back to School Tips for Students with ADHD

Welp, I hate to break it to you, but it is that time of year again. It is time to start preparing to go back to school. Some schools are even in session already. This can be a difficult time when you have ADHD. Over the summer, you probably established some routines that you did not have during the previous school year, and breaking those habits and developing new ones for the upcoming school year will not be easy or fun. However, I have compiled a few tips for making the transition back to school less difficult.

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Tips, Strategies, Advice, School Evelyn Gallagher Tips, Strategies, Advice, School Evelyn Gallagher

Back to School Tips for Teachers of Students with ADHD

The time has come. Your break from students is over. Soon, you will be staring at half-asleep students, most of whom do not want to be there. Some of these students will have ADHD. From what I hear from teachers I know, teacher training provides little (if any) information about ADHD. You might find it a daunting challenge to manage these students and help them learn. Well, fret not! I have compiled some tips to help you teach your students with ADHD and help both you and your students start the school year on a positive note.

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Advice, School, Strategies, Tips Evelyn Gallagher Advice, School, Strategies, Tips Evelyn Gallagher

Back to School Tips for Parents of Students with ADHD

Once again, we stare ahead and see a new school year looming before us. Is your child with ADHD ready? Are you worried that they might not be? It is entirely possible that they are not. If you would like to know what you can do to help your child start the new school year on a positive note, read on! I have compiled some tips you can utilize to help both you and your child have a successful start to the school year.

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Tips, Advice, Strategies, Sleep Evelyn Gallagher Tips, Advice, Strategies, Sleep Evelyn Gallagher

The Podcast That Puts Your ADHD Brain to Sleep

One of the best things you can do for your ADHD brain is to get plenty of sleep, yet many of us ADHDers struggle with getting to sleep. Even if you do stop doing that one more thing and get into your bed at a decent hour, there is a chance your brain will not shut down and go to sleep. It can be frustrating to stare at the clock for hours waiting for your brain to shut down. As it gets later, the pressure to fall asleep grows, and the pressure makes it harder to fall asleep. This can be one of the worst parts of having ADHD. For years, I struggled with falling asleep, only managing to fall asleep in a reasonable amount of time when I was extremely tired.

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Improve Your ADHD Brain's Focus While Praying

One common tip given in ADHD books for maintaining a healthy lifestyle when one has ADHD is "spirituality." For many, this politically correct term means praying. However, the symptoms of ADHD can make one wonder: Is it even possible to pray when you have ADHD? 

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