As the days grow shorter, it’s easy for all of us to get less active. If you think about it, how much more time do you spend on-line or watching TV during the winter, when in the summer you would be out riding your bike or at the beach.
For people ADHD, keeping active year-round isn’t just a good idea, it’s key in reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression and is also known to help with symptoms of ADHD. It’s no surprise that Michael Phelps is able to manage his ADHD without medication – the man’s life is built around exercise.
Studies reveal exercise treats ADHD
There are multiple studies that show exercise is critical to brain functioning:
Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain by John Ratey – was published earlier this year is filled with case studies which demonstrate the connection between exercise and brain functioning including ADHD. (Click the link above to purchase the book and support the Edge Foundation.)
Inactive Teens More at Risk for Behavioral Problems, Health Day, October 14, 2008. A recent study of teenagers in Finland revealed that inactive boys and girls were more likely to have attention problems than their active peers. It asserts that exercise is a highly effective method in easing depression and anxiety and urges teens to build regular exercise as a lifelong health habit.
ADHD Coaching Keeps Your Exercise Program on Track
It’s hard to start and exercise program, and even more difficult to make it a long-term habit. ADHD coaching can help you stay on track with your exercise goals. Checking in with someone about your weekly exercise goals, can be a way to set goals you can keep over time, stay on track and problem solve when you aren’t able to meet your goals.
The Edge Foundation offers coaches who are specifically trained and experience in working with high school and college students. Sign up and get your EDGE today!
And while your at it, consider exercising outdoors. This week another study shows that a walk in the park is also highly beneficial to improving attention in children with ADHD.
Now it’s your turn, what do you do to keep on track with your exercise goals? Leave a comment and share your success or struggles with other Edge readers.
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I like to run and by a bicycle to go
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i like the resolution for ways to improving ADHD. as for me i like to excercise to keep my mind focused. i am training for a triathalon which is the Iron Man. i do not mean the movie. i just do not know where to start. i am just wonder what is the best training schedule for me to start out. well i ran track and field and cross country for 4 years at Chapparral high school. i ran long distance. the coaches name was Ruze. i always looked up to him as a mentor and inspiration.
Peggy -- Edge Blogger
If you haven’t seen it, you might be interested in last week’s blog post about Sticking to Your New Year’s Resolutions. In it, Kelsey Peterson talks about what she is doing to train for a marathon this yar.
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