What do you do when you have high energy, low tolerance for life’s slower moments, and a brain that works best when your body is moving?
You might find something you love and use your ADHD brain to excel at it.
Studies show that at least 8% of elite athletes have ADHD, compared to an estimated 4-5% of the total US adult population. Typically, only athletes taking medication are included in this percentage. That means quite a few people swimming, running, and leaping across your screens this week struggle with the same disorganization, procrastination, and impulse control that you do. So, how do they cope with all of these symptoms and still break records and achieve life goals? The secret may be directly impacted by their ADHD.
Movement can calm the mind
If you’ve been diagnosed with ADHD, or nearly any mental health condition, you’ve likely been told to move your body as a way to cope or reduce symptoms. “Exercise is an important part of treatment for ADHD,” says Carly Claney, a licensed psychologist in Seattle who specializes in ADHD testing and treatment. “Studies have shown that regular aerobic exercise sessions provide some relief from symptoms of the disorder.”
This is because athletic activities increase neurotransmitters in the brain which relieves ADHD symptoms for a short time (NCBI). Even if running across a soccer field or chasing a ball across a court are not part of your day-job, you can still enjoy the benefit of some regular exercise to help manage those big bursts of energy.
Hyperfocus can fuel achievement
Think about the time you’ve spent in hyperfocus over the course of this year, and what you’ve gotten done during those super attentive sessions. Now, imagine that time was spent working on your backstroke or perfecting your serve. You can see how ADHD might give some athletes a boost, simply because they are able to tune out everything and everyone else to keep working on a skill or task.
Remember that hyperfocus kicks in when you are engaged in an activity that interests you or that you find uniquely fun. While reading, painting, or songwriting may never win you a medal on a world stage, your hyperfocus certainly allows you to enjoy it as you grow your skills, which can lead to overall fulfillment.
Impulse and risk
A career that requires you to launch yourself ten feet into the air has no space for fear or risk aversion. It does, however, require quick decisions, the ability to think on your feet, and a higher-than-average comfort level with making moves that others see as unsafe.
While we often consider the impulsive side of ADHD to be completely negative, the success of elite athletes makes the case for a more generous perspective. Impulsivity doesn’t always mean interrupting conversations, jumping in without a plan, or substance abuse. It can also lead to standing up for oneself, jumping in to make an important change, or taking a step nobody else will. Think about how your impulsivity can be channeled for good.
Leverage ADHD for success
While we don’t have the studies to prove it, we imagine those same award-winning elite athletes also forget to pay bills, tend to arrive late, have overflowing junk drawers, and get easily distracted when doing anything that isn’t their sport. Just because they excel in one area doesn’t mean they have discovered some ADHD secret. They are simply managing their symptoms, using the parts of ADHD that serve their success, and working to live their best life, just like you.
