This article recognizes and acknowledges that understanding and privilege.
Instead, I found out that I was barely working at all.
If I was only working 10 hours per week, why was I so exhausted all of the time?
Verywell / Madelyn Goodnight
In other words, the amount of work I was doing wasnt the problem.
The problem was that the time I spent not working was not spent resting.
Doing nothing can also be less relaxing than it seems simply becauseADHD brainsare too loud.
My brain is always on and it can be tiring.
While I still have a long way to go, heres what Ive learned about rest so far.
It just has to feel relaxing or rejuvenating to me.
I generally take active breaks, for example.
Im a restless person with a sedentary job.
For me, taking a break means finally being free to move around.
Even more unusual, I allow chores to count as a break when needed.
Doing a chore is a way to appease that critical voice in my head.
If that works for you, thats what you should do.
In my case, frequent short breaks are too disruptive.
Then, I alternate between work days and rest days.
If I could get it done, I wouldnt have to think about it anymore.
But I just dont work like that.
There are no rules.
I just do whatever I feel like doing that day.
The result is that I start my work day feeling genuinely relaxed and ready.
I realize that a three-hour window before work might not be realistic for everyone.
Thats part of why I think chores can be relaxing for me sometimes.
Other, more interesting activities that I use to relax include cooking and creative writing orjournaling.
Ive also recently taken up crochet and found it a useful way to calm my brain down.
Bubl E, Dorr M, Riedel A, et al.
Elevated background noise in adult attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is associated with inattention.
Schmahl C, ed.PLoS ONE.
2015;10(2):e0118271.
doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0118271
Waldera R, Deutsch J.Adhd and physical activity.TPE.
2021;78(6).doi:10.18666/TPE-2021-V78-I6-10563
