Taming the Busy Brain: How Meditation and Mindfulness Affect ADHD
Jude Star's Transformation Through Mindfulness
I recently sat down with fellow therapist, meditation teacher, and adult diagnosed with ADHD, Jude Star. One such myth is the belief that meditation is solely about concentration. Jude debunks this by emphasizing relaxation and slowing down as the true essence of the practice.
Meditation and mindfulness are often overlooked by adults with ADHD due to the many myths and misunderstandings. I recently sat down with fellow therapist, meditation teacher, and adult diagnosed with ADHD, Jude Star. One such myth is the belief that meditation is solely about concentration. Jude debunks this by emphasizing relaxation and slowing down as the true essence of the practice. Contrary to feeling triggered by the effortfulness that 'concentration' suggests, I found solace in Jude's guidance that meditation is about experiencing greater ease.
How about the fallacy that proper posture is a prerequisite for meditation? Jude's reassuring words that comfort is key and whether you're sitting in a chair or lying down, what matters is finding what works for you. Meditation is not a one-size-fits-all approach. It is a personalized journey, one that does not necessitate adherence to an Eastern religion or an ascetic lifestyle. Jude himself, despite often reading Buddhist texts, does not consider himself a Buddhist whereas I decided to embrace Buddhism as my philosophy of living several years into my experience of meditation practices.
A pivotal point of our discussion centered around consistency. The notion that you must meditate daily to reap any benefits is yet another misconception we aimed to dismantle. Rather, the approach should be akin to how we view physical exercise – forgiving and flexible. Jude and I concur that there's a potency in even the smallest meditative practice, whether it's a mindful breath during a hectic day or a few minutes of stillness each week. This can dramatically shift one's brain chemistry over time.
Tailoring mindfulness to fit into our busy lives, we concluded, is not about rigidity but about finding those micro hits of awareness that enhance our overall presence. Our playful exchange reminded me to infuse our practice with a lightheartedness that too often goes amiss. Jude's insights on the integration of mindfulness into daily activities, like taking a mindful walk, struck a chord with me, highlighting the accessibility of the practice.
Our conversation traversed through the transformative impacts of mindfulness on managing childhood traumas, the cultivation of equanimity, and the quest for self-awareness. As busy professionals and business owners, juggling countless tasks, the serenity that comes from grounding oneself in the present moment is invaluable.
Jude's journey through various meditative practices and his embrace of openness and freedom when choosing a practice resonated deeply with me. As I reflect on Jude's pearls of wisdom and my own two-decades-long personal exploration of mindfulness and meditation, his parting words dwell in my thoughts: “Life is perfect as it is, and yet, it can always get better.” To all my driven peers out there, I encourage you to explore the beautiful expanse of mindfulness as we continue to craft a life of joyful presence, one moment at a time.
Feel free to DM me on LinkedIn or Instagram @coachdiannwingert or send me an email at diann@diannwingertcoaching.com. I'd love to hear your thoughts! If you'd like to hear the full episode on The Driven Woman Entrepreneur Podcast, you can do that here.