Blue hues are known for slowing down the heart rate, reducing respiratory rhythm, and encouraging calm and focus. In general, stick with muted or pastel shades, and avoid primary colors. Cut down on abrasive background noise when having a conversation.
People with ADHD are often over-stimulated by colors, patterns, and even temperature. Choose neutral, soft, and calming hues of blue, green, and brown to encourage more restful sleep.
For example, Buscemi has found that blues, greens and muted brown tones tend to be great choices for both adults and children with ADD and ADHD.
Stretch, jump, go up and down the stairs, walk around the block – anything to release pent-up energy. Exercise produces feel-good hormones, such as endorphins, that help us destress and relax. To make moving a priority, schedule a walk with a friend whose conversation you enjoy and whose energy is uplifting.
Try Relaxation Techniques
Learning relaxation methods, like yoga, deep breathing, or meditation, are great ways to promote calm and reduce stress from ADHD sensory overload.
Brown noise may help arouse and stimulate the brain, allowing the person to concentrate better on their task. There's another suggested mechanism by which ambient noise can benefit those with ADHD. Listening to these sounds is an auditory masking technique.
People with ADHD are not afraid to do whatever they enjoy at the moment without concerning themselves with long-term implications or overthinking situations. Research suggests that this spontaneity can often lead people with ADHD to seek out thrill and adventure, with the added courage they gain from that spontaneity.
Sometimes, anxiety can occur independently of ADHD. Other times, it can be as a result of living with ADHD. A person who has ADHD and misses a work deadline or forgets to study for an important exam can become stressed and worried. Even the fear of forgetting to do such important tasks may cause them anxiety.
The ADHD brain also gets easily consumed. This means ADHD and overthinking kind of go hand in hand. The ADHD brain grasps hold of your thoughts and runs away with them, while emotions keep the engine running.
Red dye 40 is a synthetic food dye made from petroleum. Research has shown that it is linked to certain ADHD symptoms, such as hyperactivity, and may also cause other neurobehavioral effects in children. People can check for red dye 40 on food labels if they wish to limit their intake.
ADHD and Light Sensitivity, Photophobia
In addition, persons with ADHD also report strong sensitivity to bright light, known as photophobia. In fact, a 2014 study found that nearly 70% of individuals self-identified as photophobic—more than twice the number of people without ADHD symptoms.
The repetitive motions of coloring can have a calming effect on the brain, helping children to focus on the task at hand. Additionally, the act of coloring allows children to tune out distractions and focus on a specific task, which can be beneficial for children with ADHD.
Green – Quiet and restful, green is a soothing color that can invite harmony and diffuse anxiety. Blue – A highly peaceful color, blue can be especially helpful for stress management because it can encourage a powerful sense of calm.
Trish Buscemi, a specialist who creates calm interiors for those with cognitive learning challenges, recommends blue, green, and muted brown towns for bedrooms of children with ADHD. These gentle hues actually work well with people of all ages seeking a space that inspires rest and calm.
Blue is the Most Relaxing Colour, Scientists Say.
By Dr. David Velkoff. Ring of Fire ADD is a type of ADD characterized by abnormally increased activity in multiple areas of the brain, which in individuals on qEEG brain mapping scans can appear as over activity or overstimulation.
In general, ADHD doesn't get worse with age. Some adults may also outgrow their symptoms. But this is not the case for everyone.
The five gifts of ADHD include creativity, emotional sensitivity, exuberance, interpersonal empathy, and being nature-smart (The Gift of Adult ADD, 2008).
“Opposites Attract”: People with ADHD are attracted to “organized” and joyless workers bees who can keep the trains running for the both of them and who in turn are drawn to their free-spirited ADHD partner's spontaneity and sense of fun.
White noise has positive effects on ADHD and cognitive performance.
White Noise
The options include the old standbys (Ocean, Streams, and Rain Storms) and some unusual sounds, like Tibetan Singing Bowl and Cat Purring. People with ADHD who chill out best with manmade sounds can choose Clothes Dryer, Fan, Vacuum, or Washer.
White or brown noise appears to help the brain harness the neurons, focus attention and quiet noisy thoughts.