In addition to traditional talk therapy, pharmacological treatment and the vital assistance of an ADD coach, exercise, it appears, is a great way to lessen the effects of ADD/ADHD. Attention-Deficit Disorder is most often found in children, although it’s clear that 50 percent or more of children who are diagnosed with the condition carry it into their adulthood. There are three subtypes of the condition:

  • Predominantly inattentive, where concentration, organization and the capacity to complete projects are impacted. Although once simply called ADD, this term is not used anymore.
  • Predominantly hyperactive-impulsive, with high energy, restlessness and impulsivity as the primary characteristics.
  • Combined type, used to describe people who exhibit characteristics from both subtypes.

Historically, ADHD treatment consisted of therapy coupled with stimulant medication, typically Ritalin or Adderall. When dependent solely on medication, the side effects have proven, in many cases, to be as detrimental as the disease itself, causing many mental health professionals to seek alternative treatment options.

Here is where physical exercise has proven so beneficial. By increasing dopamine and serotonin levels – naturally occurring chemicals in the brain that are known to be in lower supply in children and adults afflicted with ADHD – exercise actually functions as a natural type of medication, and most significantly, one without any side effects. As brain chemical levels reach a healthy balance through exercise, those who have ADHD experience improved concentration and attention span, and usually find they sleep better, too. Apart from unusual cases where stimulants are no longer needed, exercise works best when combined with medication to help regulate brain function.

Simply walking for a 30 minutes a few times a week can help sufferers enormously. Other beneficial activities include yoga, swimming, running, gymnastics, martial arts and even team sports such as soccer. Just about any sport or activity that requires people to focus on their body’s movement tends to be a good workout for their attention system. This, according to experts, is great for anyone dealing with ADHD.

As far as learning goes, the same natural chemicals that help to regulate mood and emotions help people behave in a more consistent, regular manner. This can beneficially affect learning, because the constant craving for new stimuli is reduced, while alertness is improved. With regular exercise, people become less stressed or fidgety, and they’ll find they are usually more motivated as well. Exercise also boosts Neurogenesis, or the creation of brand new neurons in the brain, which is directly linked to learning. The more connections the brain can make, the more a person can learn and retain.

With an ADHD coach encouraging them, talking to them and helping them focus, ADD/ADHD patients not only have a helper, they have an advocate. Coaches talk about problems and offer solutions. Add exercise to this positive, interpersonal exchange, and people can begin to see real change for the better. It takes work, resolve and the development of good exercise habits, but ADHD can be treated in ways other than the immediate prescription of stimulants. Though necessary in many cases, it’s good to know there are alternatives.

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