• Home
  • About
  • Services
    • Center for ADHD and Executive Functioning
    • Center for Education and Training
    • Center for Workplace Productivity
  • Forms
    • Client Portal
    • Forms
  • Contact Us
  • Blog
  • ADHD Resources
Orchid ADHDOrchid ADHD
  • Home
  • About
  • Services
    • Center for ADHD and Executive Functioning
    • Center for Education and Training
    • Center for Workplace Productivity
  • Forms
    • Client Portal
    • Forms
  • Contact Us
  • Blog
  • ADHD Resources
The Power of Exercise

The Power of Exercise

April 1, 2018 ADHD, Life Style

By Jeremy Kaplan, Guest Blogger

As a young adult with ADHD, I have been on and off medication for my ADHD symptoms throughout my childhood. Now I have started to figure out how I can best manage my symptoms with a combination of medication, regular exercise, and good eating habits. I am currently a college sophomore studying exercise science and personal training certification, so the increased exercise is a program requirement, so to speak. Soon after I started to boost my exercise regimen, I noticed I was performing better in class and sleeping better, too.

Creating a schedule around my workouts has the added benefit of increased time management and a more strict daily routine. I use my workout times as anchors in my day. I try to keep my workouts scheduled for the same time every day, usually early morning so I can then schedule something like my homework or class immediately afterward. This helps me procrastinate less. The rise in adrenaline directly after workouts helps me pay attention and be more involved in the learning process during class. Science backs this up. Dr. John Rathey states, “Exercise turns on the attention system, the so-called executive functions — sequencing, working memory, prioritizing, inhibiting, and sustaining attention,” I can see this first hand.

Having a strict exercise program has played an integral part in developing better time management, increasing my attention span, and retention of more information while studying, however, exercise deserves only part of the credit. Additional credit belongs to changing my diet for the better. I’ve cut out processed foods, all added sugars, starchy carbohydrates, and anything with caffeine (excluding green tea). Having a strict diet goes hand-in-hand with a strict exercise routine, which both seem to be helping me increase my attention and memory. According to an article in ADDitude, “Foods rich in protein — lean beef, pork, poultry, fish, eggs, beans, nuts, soy, and low-fat dairy products — can have beneficial effects on ADHD symptoms.” I start my day with a protein-rich meal, usually a protein shake with fruit, yogurt, spinach, and egg, or an egg breakfast of some sort. Brain-awakening neurotransmitters need to be fed with protein, so it is vitally important to have a protein-rich breakfast.

As a future personal trainer, I would whole-heartedly suggest to my clients that have ADHD symptoms to include exercise as part of their ADHD management program. Not only are the benefits body healthy, but they are brain healthy too.

 

 

Share
0

You also might be interested in

What is an ADHD Evaluation?

What is an ADHD Evaluation?

Jan 19, 2018

What is an ADHD Evaluation? Over the years, new patients[...]

The Importance of Executive Function Coaching in College

The Importance of Executive Function Coaching in College

Jun 1, 2018

  Recently, Dr. Russell Barkley and Associates reported about ADHD[...]

Schedule in Time to Make a Schedule

Schedule in Time to Make a Schedule

Nov 6, 2018

Balancing school/work/social life can take work. While we don’t want[...]

Recent Posts

  • Executive Function Age vs. Chronological Age: Where does my child fall?
  • At home Resources during Covid-19 times
  • GRIT and Executive Functioning
  • What Does Metacognition Have To Do With Executive Functions?
  • Does Mom Have Alzheimer’s? Or ADHD?

Categories

  • ADHD
  • Education
  • Life Style
  • Therapy
  • Uncategorized

Archives

  • August 2020
  • March 2020
  • October 2019
  • May 2019
  • February 2019
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • January 2018

Find Us

Address
123 Main Street
New York, NY 10001

Hours
Monday—Friday: 9:00AM–5:00PM
Saturday & Sunday: 11:00AM–3:00PM

Search

About This Site

This may be a good place to introduce yourself and your site or include some credits.

Contact Us

We're currently offline. Send us an email and we'll get back to you, asap.

Send Message

Orchid Center for ADHD and Executive Functioning
5052 Dorsey Hall Rd Suite 102
Ellicott City, MD 21042

Info@orchidadhd.com
410-834-1714

About This Site

This may be a good place to introduce yourself and your site or include some credits.

Search

© 2023 · Orchid Center for ADHD and Executive Function

Prev Next