A hilarious tweet that I read the other day referring to the neurotransmitter “serotonin” and suggesting that the person struggles with mood – which is what my moody self is here to chat with you about today!
One common obstacle I hear from different folks in the ADHD community is our mood. We’ll go from feeling entirely engaged in something in one instant to not wanting to be involved whatsoever and while this can be harsh, I’m here to share some good news with you today, and it’s that we can get better.
Before I proceed with what’s helped me, let me be very clear that this is not to replace any medical advice you have that might be necessary nor is this to ignore the concept of “allowing yourself to feel” during tougher times as there is space for it.
This is simply what helps me when I’m in a funk, and it is my hope that you get great value from this article.
#1 Intention setting.
My good friend Dina, also known as The ADHD lawyer created a big movement on Instagram known as the “intention movement” and there’s a reason why it took off the way it did.
There’s a saying for us ADHD folks that I 100% agree with and it’s that “if it can’t be seen, it doesn’t exist”
Although I’m not posting my intentions daily on my own Instagram stories, I do benefit greatly from setting daily intentions on how I’d like to feel in my journal, limiting it to 3 ways I’d like to feel in a day.
There’s a saying for us ADHD folks that I 100% agree with and it’s that “if it can’t be seen, it doesn’t exist” and for me, writing this intention daily helps me actually see where I’d like to be.
#2. Feel good music.
Music is an incredibly powerful (and underrated) tool in helping when we’re not feeling all that up to something. This study actually found that music improved dopamine levels in the brains of many of its participants and I can most certainly attest to this,
As I write this article, I’m currently listening to calming music that I enjoy.
#3. Move your butt!
Turns out, exercise is not just good for strength, but it’s also good for serotonin production in our brains, as well.
And this doesn’t mean you have to do something you don’t enjoy! Physical activity can range from going for a walk to yoga to HIIT training – the goal here is to invest in something in which you feel that you can not only be consistent with but that will make you feel good, too. I personally love walking, as I get to enjoy some beautiful sights in my neighbourhood as well as listen to podcasts that I enjoy.
Whatever it may be for you to help you navigate moodiness, I just want you to know one thing – you’re worth living a life in which you do things you enjoy. This life that we live isn’t all kicks and giggles all the time, but, we can still create space for the things that we enjoy and my hope is that this article inspires you to do just that.
