Exercise for ADHD

Exercise helps the ADHD brain function effectively and efficiently. Research shows that physical activity sparks positive changes in the brain that increase attention and improve mood. Exercise is an inexpensive, self-prescribed and accessible supplemental treatment option for adults and children with ADHD.

How exactly does exercise deliver these benefits to the ADHD brain? 

Exercises like walking, running, jumping jacks or pushups lead to your brain releasing important chemicals. These chemicals are known as endorphins, (dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin). These brain chemicals affect focus and attention which are in short supply in those with ADHD. 

While most of us focus on exercise as a way to trim our waistlines, the better news is that routine physical activity firms up the brain — making it a simple alternative ADHD treatment. “Exercise turns on the attention system, the so-called executive functions — sequencing, working memory, prioritizing, inhibiting and sustaining attention,” says Ratey, author of Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain

Walking for 30 minutes, four times a week, will do the trick. Find something that you and your children can enjoy together! 

One of our passions at Vision Fitness and Wellness is supporting children at an early age gain the tools they need to live a happy and healthy life. Learning simple healthy habits at a young age and finding what they love in exercise can make the biggest difference in their lives.