May 1, 2025 • 5 mins
In this episode of the ADHD mom podcast, you'll learn about why it's so hard for us moms to find rest!
Traditional rest methods, like meditation or yoga, often feel stressful. So listen to this episode to find personalized ways to recharge. Discover what works for YOU and YOUR brain.
To find more tips and support, visit theADHDMom.com and subscribe to the show!
Jessica is a Creative wife & mom of 3 from Northwest Pennsylvania. She is a voiceover artist at Jessica Lewis Voice and enjoys creating calming art through macro and landscape photography at The Painted Square.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:00):
This is the ADHD MOM podcast.
Today we're talking about theart of rest with ADHD, why it's
hard and how to make it work.
So here's something that mightsound simple but feels
impossible for our ADHD.
Brains rest.
We even know what that means asa mom.
It's a thing everyone tells uswe need, but our brains seem to
(00:22):
fight against it.
Our answer when somebody saysyou need rest, we say, I can't.
Oh, I can't.
I don't have enough time.
Oh, I can't.
But that is a fixed mindset.
So instead of saying I can't,let's have a growth mindset,
let's say finding rest is hard,but I found ways to rest that
(00:45):
work for me before we talk aboutsome ways to rest that work for
us and our brains.
Let's talk about why rest is sohard with ADHD.
Our brains are like a browserwith 47 open tabs that's
constantly running in thebackground, you know, like a
computer.
And it takes up all of thatmemory, that random access
(01:06):
memory.
So when we try to rest, ourminds are racing with new ideas
and new possibilities.
They're replaying conversationsfrom three years ago.
Am I the only one who does this?
I don't think so.
Or our minds are planningtomorrow's schedule while
remembering we forgot to buymilk.
And here's the thing,traditional rest advice, like
(01:29):
just sit still and meditate.
It often feels more stressfulthan relaxing.
I've had people tell me, oh, youshould try yoga.
And yeah, it's probably amazing,but right now it doesn't work
for me.
So I have to find other thingsthat work for me to help me rest
or slow down.
So why rest is non-negotiable?
(01:51):
It's essential for our brains.
Without it, we experienceincreased emotional
dysregulation, worse, executivefunctioning, goodbye, ability to
plan and organize, andheightened ADHD symptoms.
Plus, when we're running ONM D,we experience decreased ability
to start or complete projects,more difficulty maintaining
(02:12):
relationships and socialconnections.
You know, like getting snippywith our spouse or kids physical
symptoms like headaches andfatigue and reduced creativity
and problem solving abilities,and that's really hard for those
of us who are creative and workfrom home.
Think about it like this.
Your ADHD brain is alreadyworking over time to handle
(02:35):
regular daily tasks, so when youdon't rest.
It's like trying to run amarathon while carrying three
kids who are all hungry and allneed a nap.
Eventually, something's gottagive.
There will be a meltdown.
But here's something we easilyforget.
Rest isn't just about sleeping.
(02:56):
It's about giving your braindifferent types of breaks
throughout the day.
Sometimes that means taking a 10minute walk without your phone,
spending five minutes doingbreathing exercises.
Maybe switching tasks when youfeel the focus waning, or it
could look like settingspecific, no thinking times
during the day.
So my normal daily schedule iswork in the morning.
(03:18):
I have my focus time in themorning, and then when my brain
starts getting tired and I don'treally need a nap, I just need
to do something that doesn'trequire a lot of thinking or
problem solving.
I fold laundry or put the dishesaway for me, these are no
thinking tasks.
Or they're thinking tasks, but Ican do the task and let my brain
wander and not have to worryabout being so focused because
(03:42):
it's an automated activity forme.
Another thing that was helpfulis I pressure washed our front
sidewalk the other day and likereally dirty outdoor rug and it
was a light physical activity,although my back hurts today and
it could let my mind wander as Iwas doing something and it was
in the sun and we don't get muchof that in northwest
(04:03):
Pennsylvania.
So the sun was also helpful too.
But all of that to say yourworth isn't measured by how busy
you are.
Taking breaks isn't a sign ofweakness.
It's a strategy for yoursuccess.
And weed desperately need it.
Like I said before, rest doesn'tmean having to sit still.
(04:25):
So here's some other ADHDfriendly ways to give your brain
a break.
Active rest.
You could be walking whilelistening to music without
multitasking.
Creative rest, coloring ordoodling without the pressure of
creating something specific bodyfocused.
Rest, simple, repetitiveactivities like knitting or
gardening.
(04:45):
I crocheted a blanket a couplewinters ago, and that actually
kept me from snacking on a lotof foods, and it helped me sit
and watch a movie with the kidswhile I had something to do.
Or you could do a nature restbeing outside without your
phone, and let your mind wanderwhile you're moving or hiking or
just walking around the yard.
(05:06):
Rest isn't being lazy.
It's how we recharge.
So find the type of rest thatworks for your brain, even if it
looks different from what othersdo.
Do you have a technique or tipthat works for your brain or
something that works for yourkids?
I'd love to hear it and share iton the show.
You can email me,jessica@theadhdmom.com or our
(05:27):
website, the adhd mom.com.
Share the show with someone youknow, spread the word.
Let's help our favorite creativea h ADHD moms go from surviving
to thriving, and let's have alittle fun doing that too.
Until next time, have abeautiful day.
This is the ADHD MOM podcast.
Today we're talking about theart of rest with ADHD, why it's
hard and how to make it work.
So here's something that mightsound simple but feels
impossible for our ADHD.
Brains rest.
We even know what that means asa mom.
It's a thing everyone tells uswe need, but our brains seem to
(00:22):
fight against it.
Our answer when somebody saysyou need rest, we say, I can't.
Oh, I can't.
I don't have enough time.
Oh, I can't.
But that is a fixed mindset.
So instead of saying I can't,let's have a growth mindset,
let's say finding rest is hard,but I found ways to rest that
(00:45):
work for me before we talk aboutsome ways to rest that work for
us and our brains.
Let's talk about why rest is sohard with ADHD.
Our brains are like a browserwith 47 open tabs that's
constantly running in thebackground, you know, like a
computer.
And it takes up all of thatmemory, that random access
(01:06):
memory.
So when we try to rest, ourminds are racing with new ideas
and new possibilities.
They're replaying conversationsfrom three years ago.
Am I the only one who does this?
I don't think so.
Or our minds are planningtomorrow's schedule while
remembering we forgot to buymilk.
And here's the thing,traditional rest advice, like
(01:29):
just sit still and meditate.
It often feels more stressfulthan relaxing.
I've had people tell me, oh, youshould try yoga.
And yeah, it's probably amazing,but right now it doesn't work
for me.
So I have to find other thingsthat work for me to help me rest
or slow down.
So why rest is non-negotiable?
(01:51):
It's essential for our brains.
Without it, we experienceincreased emotional
dysregulation, worse, executivefunctioning, goodbye, ability to
plan and organize, andheightened ADHD symptoms.
Plus, when we're running ONM D,we experience decreased ability
to start or complete projects,more difficulty maintaining
(02:12):
relationships and socialconnections.
You know, like getting snippywith our spouse or kids physical
symptoms like headaches andfatigue and reduced creativity
and problem solving abilities,and that's really hard for those
of us who are creative and workfrom home.
Think about it like this.
Your ADHD brain is alreadyworking over time to handle
(02:35):
regular daily tasks, so when youdon't rest.
It's like trying to run amarathon while carrying three
kids who are all hungry and allneed a nap.
Eventually, something's gottagive.
There will be a meltdown.
But here's something we easilyforget.
Rest isn't just about sleeping.
(02:56):
It's about giving your braindifferent types of breaks
throughout the day.
Sometimes that means taking a 10minute walk without your phone,
spending five minutes doingbreathing exercises.
Maybe switching tasks when youfeel the focus waning, or it
could look like settingspecific, no thinking times
during the day.
So my normal daily schedule iswork in the morning.
(03:18):
I have my focus time in themorning, and then when my brain
starts getting tired and I don'treally need a nap, I just need
to do something that doesn'trequire a lot of thinking or
problem solving.
I fold laundry or put the dishesaway for me, these are no
thinking tasks.
Or they're thinking tasks, but Ican do the task and let my brain
wander and not have to worryabout being so focused because
(03:42):
it's an automated activity forme.
Another thing that was helpfulis I pressure washed our front
sidewalk the other day and likereally dirty outdoor rug and it
was a light physical activity,although my back hurts today and
it could let my mind wander as Iwas doing something and it was
in the sun and we don't get muchof that in northwest
(04:03):
Pennsylvania.
So the sun was also helpful too.
But all of that to say yourworth isn't measured by how busy
you are.
Taking breaks isn't a sign ofweakness.
It's a strategy for yoursuccess.
And weed desperately need it.
Like I said before, rest doesn'tmean having to sit still.
(04:25):
So here's some other ADHDfriendly ways to give your brain
a break.
Active rest.
You could be walking whilelistening to music without
multitasking.
Creative rest, coloring ordoodling without the pressure of
creating something specific bodyfocused.
Rest, simple, repetitiveactivities like knitting or
gardening.
(04:45):
I crocheted a blanket a couplewinters ago, and that actually
kept me from snacking on a lotof foods, and it helped me sit
and watch a movie with the kidswhile I had something to do.
Or you could do a nature restbeing outside without your
phone, and let your mind wanderwhile you're moving or hiking or
just walking around the yard.
(05:06):
Rest isn't being lazy.
It's how we recharge.
So find the type of rest thatworks for your brain, even if it
looks different from what othersdo.
Do you have a technique or tipthat works for your brain or
something that works for yourkids?
I'd love to hear it and share iton the show.
You can email me,jessica@theadhdmom.com or our
(05:27):
website, the adhd mom.com.
Share the show with someone youknow, spread the word.
Let's help our favorite creativea h ADHD moms go from surviving
to thriving, and let's have alittle fun doing that too.
Until next time, have abeautiful day.
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