5 types of Rest for the ADHD brain 🧠

Abby Garrard | The Mind Bridge

8 hours ago

2 min read

You’re exhausted. Your body wants to become one with the sofa.

Your brain, however, has decided this is the perfect time to research the history of medieval toilets.

Sound familiar?

For ADHD brains, just sit still and relax isn’t always particularly relaxing.

Resting doesn’t have to mean doing ’nothing’. It might mean giving your brain something enjoyable to do without making it work overtime.

5 types of rest for the ADHD brain

1. ‘Distract My Brain’ Rest

Audiobooks, comfort TV, music or people-watching.

Give your brain something to nibble on without serving it a five-course meal.

2. ‘Keep My Hands Busy’ Rest

When you want to be resting, but fidgeting at the same time

Doodling, knitting, colouring or easy crafts.

Your hands get a job, but your brain gets a break.

3. ‘I Need to Move’ Rest

For when you’re mentally tired but your body is full of bees.

Walking, gentle swimming, stretching or dancing around the kitchen.

4. ‘Stop Thinking About Everything’ Rest

For when you’ve mentally analysed every conversation since 2007.

Comforting fiction, calling a friend or doing something completely pointless and enjoyable.

Not every thought needs investigating. Better to redirect your mind to a pointless activity that is engaging enough to stop yourself from ruminating.

5. ‘Human Burrito’ Rest

For when your entire system has had enough.

You’re probably overstimulated, or under-stimulated.

Blanket. Sofa. Calming music or a guided body scan. Weighted eye mask, a cat on the lap.

Do whatever works to meet your immediate sensory needs.

Spending three hours researching your latest obsession might be delightful.

But do you feel refreshed afterwards, or like your brain has just completed a PhD?

Fun and rest aren’t always the same thing.

The best question to ask is: “Do I feel better or more exhausted afterwards?”

Please don’t try to make your relaxation into another self-improvement project…

You’re allowed to do absolutely nothing useful.

Yes…even if your brain would still rather research medieval toilets.