More on Exercise and ADHD
Like with a lot of health problems, some of the recommendations just seem like good advice, and they’re also supportive of the best lifestyle for people with ADHD. Get a good night’s sleep. Try to maintain a decent diet. Watch the sugar intake. And of course, get some exercise.
I blogged about ADHD and exercise before. I put in some of the reasons why exercise is good for the treatment of ADHD, and it’s becoming widely accepted as part of some new ADHD strategies.
But here’s what I didn’t put in that blog. Someone’s actual story of improvement. I heard this man speak at an event supporting mountain biking trails in my part of the world (Devou Park in Covington, Kentucky, to be specific).
He permitted me to copy that part of the speech for this blog:
“I was a failing student at the University of Cincinnati in the late 1970's. One day I heard that I could park for free at the far end of Burnett Woods and gave it a try. I found a trail through a small section of woods on the way to the campus and enjoyed it. Soon I began running the trail to and from campus and felt better each day. My grades went from C's and D's to A's and B's. I even made the Dean's List a few times. I don't know the science behind the remarkable improvement but I believe the exercise before classes, the serenity of the woods, the cleaner air in the woods all played a role. I was able to focus better, felt less stress, more energy and confidence during that stretch of time. I recommend a hike or run in some nearby woods to anybody that needs to reduce stress and improve focus.”
I think I was the most excited person in the room when he was talking. To me, this guy became living evidence of everything I’ve been preaching!
In talking with him further, I found out that he’s part of a group advocating for more physical exercise in the school systems. It’s good for your body to move. It’s also good for your brain.
This is a book I recommend for anyone interested in exercise and mental health:
The scientific evidence behind why maintaining a lifestyle more like that of our ancestors will restore our health and well-being.
In Go Wild, Harvard Medical School Professor John Ratey, MD, and journalist Richard Manning reveal that although civilization has rapidly evolved, our bodies have not kept pace. This mismatch affects every area of our lives, from our general physical health to our emotional well-being. Investigating the power of living according to our genes in the areas of diet, exercise, sleep, nature, mindfulness, and more, Go Wild examines how tapping into our core DNA combats modern disease and psychological afflictions, from Autism and Depression to Diabetes and Heart Disease. By focusing on the ways of the past, it is possible to secure a healthier and happier future, and Go Wild will show you how.
Got something that gets you moving?
Let me know your favorite exercise!