ADHD or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is a condition wherein an individual is impatient, cannot constantly pay attention to something, cannot sit still, talks out of turn repeatedly, and undergoes acute emotional turmoil, among other symptoms.
While there are medications and therapy options that help keep the condition under control, many people prefer supplementing these with natural treatments for ADHD. These methods involve the intake of no strong medication, automatically making it a safer choice. But keep in mind that while the following natural treatments might seem perfect for you, it is always best to discuss them with your doctor first. Given below are some of the options you can prefer exploring to manage ADHD.
Popular natural treatments for ADHD
Dietary changes
One of the natural treatments for ADHD is controlling the food and diet. When you consume a healthy diet that is rich in fruits and vegetables then it can help manage symptoms better. Avoiding processed food and ensuring you eat routinely is the key to manage ADHD in children and adults as this helps to optimize the brain functions. You should ensure you are getting all the nutrients from your diet and cut off artificial sweeteners, additives, and preservatives. Some studies report that a vegetarian diet can better help manage ADHD symptoms but more research needs to be done in this area.
Lifestyle changes
There are many lifestyle changes that you can try to control the condition. These are usually used in conjunction with medications for ADHD to better manage the symptoms. One of the most effective lifestyle change is exercise. Making exercise part of your routine can help you feel better as the activity helps the brain release neurotransmitters such as dopamine, which help with attention and clear thinking. You can try different types of exercises or even opt for yoga to increase concentration levels. Meditation can also help decrease anxiety and spending time outdoors can have a positive impact on your overall well-being too.
Opt for supplements
Supplements are one of the natural treatments for ADHD in children and adults. Omega-3 fatty acids are one of the most popular supplements that are used in the treatment of the condition. Other options such as magnesium, iron, and zinc have also proven to be beneficial while a supplement called melatonin can be helpful for people who have trouble sleeping due to ADHD.
Herbs
There are numerous herbal remedies that are available for people who don’t wish to opt for medications for their ADHD symptoms. For example, water hyssop extract (Brahmi) can help improve emotions and is used to help lower anxiety levels in people with ADHD. Another popular herbal remedy is ginseng which has proven to be helpful for people who are inattentive and cannot concentrate for long periods. It is helpful for decreasing hyperactivity too.
Use essential oils
This is one of the natural treatments for ADHD. While there are many essential oils that you can try for managing ADHD symptoms, each one has a different benefit and must be chosen carefully. For instance, rosemary oil can help you think clearly and to think fast while lavender can help you have better sleep quality and has a calming effect on people.
Therapies
Despite already being a popular mode of treatment, research is going on about which type of therapy is beneficial for people with ADHD. One of the therapies for the condition is Brain Training. It includes various types of programs that are aimed at specific brain functions and help stimulate those parts in people with ADHD. For example, these programs can be aimed at improving information retention and focus. Another important therapy for people with ADHD is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.
