Feelings of overwhelm, especially for those of us with ADHD, often come not from doing too much, but from engaging in tasks that we don’t choose or don’t feel effective. If you can't avoid these stressors, the solution might not be to reduce your activities, but to focus on what you choose and find meaningful. For people with ADHD, staying active rather than sitting down and resting can be especially helpful in managing overwhelm.

In my own life, solo training between classes is how I decompress. Even when I owned the restaurant, I would take a kata break down by the river between lunch and dinner service. I like to add a bit of flair to it too—matching my traditional martial arts weapons to my outfit because, after all, it’s important to look good while staying prepared! In this photo, I chose to practice my tonfa kata because my tonfa are made from purple heart wood, and I was wearing purple that day.

Many of my clients enjoy playing Situational Awareness games, which not only teach mindfulness but are also fun. Recently, a client who was moving halfway across the country by herself and her elderly large dog, asked me for some Situational Awareness games to play during the move. Even with everything going on, she knew she needed something fun to keep her centered. I gave her some games, and at our next session, she shared how much they helped her stay focused. She even had an emergency with her rental truck, and she handled it calmly, quickly resolving the issue and getting back on the road.

What activities help you manage stress in a fun and meaningful way?