By Jeff Copper, MBA, PCC, PCAC, CPCC, ACG – December 25, 2023
Have you ever meditated and noticed your mind wandering? Congratulations, you’re meditating correctly. You might be wondering, “What does meditation have to do with my ADHD?” The answer is in a paradigm shift, because meditation is all about paying attention to your attention! It’s like a workout for your mind, helping you become more aware of the present moment and improving your ability to control what you focus on.
If you’ve struggled with controlling your attention because of ADHD, don’t be surprised if this changes your perception of meditation and how it can work wonders for you!
One of the fundamental aspects of meditation is embracing the “now” or the present moment. For those of us with ADHD, our minds often feel like a mess with thoughts, feelings, and distractions all vying for our attention. Meditation helps us step back from this chaos and teaches us to anchor our focus on the present. By practicing mindfulness, we become more aware of our thoughts and emotions without getting lost in them.
During meditation, when you notice your thoughts drifting away (and trust me, they will), you gently guide your focus back to your chosen point of attention, such as your breath or a specific sound. Each time you bring your mind back, you get a little stronger at staying present and focused, even when distractions try to pull you away.
Remember, we’re not trying to eliminate thoughts or emotions; we’re learning to understand them and maintain our focus despite their presence. This awareness can be a powerful tool for managing the whirlwind of distractions with attention deficit disorder.
If you have ADHD and struggle to control your attention, please check out my podcast, “ADHD: Controlling Your Attention Using Attention Exercises,” with Gregg Krech, Executive Director of the Todo Institute (https://www.thirtythousanddays.org/). And don’t be surprised if what you hear shifts your paradigm on meditation and how it works. You’ll find the interview, here: http://tobtr.com/2109347\