Navigate the Maze to Focus
Chapter 13 + 14
The stories behind the rise of ADHD.
While reading through the research in ‘Stolen Focus’ on ADHD, it becomes clear how muddy the waters are when it comes to understanding the diagnoses and searching for solutions.
The answers that can even start to address the issues are so interconnected that it feels like a chaotic maze either designed to subdue our general population (if you are into conspiracy theories) or randomly developed as technology and social systems have grown and evolved into our current digitally dependent world.
What feels like falling into a rabbit hole of hopelessness these days can also be opportunities to reflect and take back control.
As a GEN-Xer, having the advantage of experiencing both the before and after of digital media is an asset and should not be dismissed.
I experienced an unstructured childhood that inspired creative activity with whomever we ran into at the local park. As well as not being supervised 24/7, we were growing in a more natural state of movement and play.
With the rise of our digital worlds, I, with everyone else, have been sucked into the ‘productivity’ of the tools. All this extra time we were ‘saving’ was amazing, but somehow turned into doing more with less.
The discussion in Chapter 14 on the debate between biological versus environmental impacts on ADHD really blew my mind. Veterinarians figured out that animals who had very chaotic and disturbing uncontrolled activity could also be managed with ADHD medication which only ever addressed the symptom and never resolved the issue.
For example, a story that hit close to home for me, the poor polar bear I remember the Calgary Zoo had in the 80s, would pace most of the day back and forth. Understanding that Polar Bears normally walk for miles on end day in and day out, so of course, this guy would pace. Sure, medication would calm it out for a while, but he’d be right back at it the next day.
In each of the situations, the animal is removed from its natural environment. And yes, humans are animals by nature as well.
How much of our lives are we embracing our natural needs?
Our own DNA has developed over thousands of years in a world where we lived and played outdoors. In our new world, we have developed educational structures prioritizing structure and obedience with parenting norms promoting fear of the unknown. We are losing the benefits of play and unstructured creativity.
Nourish your body - I love a bag of Lays Chips like the next person, but it’s never a meal. Whole foods are ideal, and of course, colour your plate with vegetables. Our bodies are organic machines that need fuel to operate. So figure out what not only tastes good and nourishes your spirit but also what your body needs.
Forest Bathing - yeah, this is a good thing. Simply getting out of the house and being in nature. It’s a hard sell depending on where you live and what you have access to. But anything is better than nothing. Maybe you don’t have a vehicle to drive to a national park, but there is likely something nearby.
Movement - There is a reason that my watch reminds me to stand every hour. Between tasks, before an online meeting, or when you are deep in the work and feel a need for a break, move. It can be as simple as standing up, doing some stretches, doing a little dance or running on the spot for short sprints. Allowing your body its innate need to move will help you focus on what’s next.
Rest - If you are in a constant state of scarcity, stress, and frustration, forget any hope of being able to focus. I totally get there are those times when shit just needs to get done, but it is unsustainable in the long term. You need to put on your own oxygen mask so you can have any hope of helping anyone. In fact, the stress you are experiencing does affect those around you. It’s a sign to your loved ones that they can’t ask for help when they need it and puts them in their own negative emotional cycle. You can and should ask for help when you are feeling underwater. Set time and space for yourself to rest and pause, starting with a minimum of 7 hours of sleep a night. Taking a mid-day nap when you need one is also a good start to allow your body time to process.
You Matter to me. What you put into the world makes an impact on those around you and eventually impacts those in my circles as well.
