Credits: Social Media
Psychologist-approved hack makes life simpler when ADHD distracts you from mundane tasks�
Boredom, frustration, and lack of attention are only a few of ADHD symptoms that make getting through daily life extremely difficult.
ASHD isnt a disease. It is identified as a mental health condition or disorder, which isnt always easy to diagnose you may have it and not even know. Living with ADHD makes it harder to complete not-so-interesting tasks and chores. But a simple hack can help overcome the boredom of mundane activities.
Why people with ADHD get distracted easily
People with ADHD find it difficult to indulge in activities or tasks that arent generally interesting or involve delayed rewards. This could happen with completing basic school homework or learning a new skill, which neurotypicals can condition their brains to complete.
However, low dopamine in neurodivergent is the cause of disinterest and distraction from activities that arent enticing enough to keep attention retained.
Among a lot of other things that neurotypicals dont find difficult to take up, involving in repetitive activities is one of the biggest struggles of a person with ADHD.
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The Focus spoke to psychologists and mental health experts specializing in ADHD to better understand the challenges that come with the condition while also seeking any advice to make their lives easier.
We learned that a simple hack can make a huge difference for neurodivergent, who become burned out just thinking about chores by investing all their energy into the thought, rather than making the same effort to complete them.
Set a timer to get the boring job done
People with ADHD who struggle to complete daily tasks swear by one technique setting a timer and sticking to it. I, a neurotypical, occasionally find chores taxing. However, timing my tasks and completing them within the set time was surprisingly effective. So, The Focus got in touch with a mental health expert to understand how it works.
Psychotherapist and founder of Uncover Mental Health Counseling, Kristie Tse, is a regular contributor to The Focus. When asked to elaborate on the hack going around on social media, she said it can indeed be a useful strategy for individuals with ADHD as it creates a sense of urgency and helps in channeling focus on the task at hand.
She explained: The timer acts as an external cue, reinforcing the time-bound nature of the task, which can be especially helpful for those who struggle with time perception.
Furthermore, it can be a versatile tool, applicable to various activities where sustained focus is required. Setting small, manageable goals within this framework can provide a steady sense of progression and achievement, the psychotherapist continued.
As someone who sets timers for her tasks, Kristie said: I find that this technique not only helps in initiating a chore but also sustains my attention, making it less likely for distractions to derail my intention.
She sees tangible progress upon focusing on one chore at a time; the sense of accomplishment motivates her to take up the same task again. This method essentially turns chores into a structured activity with a clear start and end, which can be incredibly affirming, Kristie said.
