Archives for December 2014

Attention deficit disorder presents a variety of challenges, but are there any advantages to having this condition? You may be surprised at how many benefits there are to having ADD. If you struggle with this disorder, taking a new perspective on the negatives can help you break through the stereotypes and ultimately recognize the positives.

Finding Parallel Traits
Although there are certainly downsides to this condition, each negative symptom can be turned into an asset. You just need to look for the parallels between the good and the supposed bad. Are you easily distracted, and do you have difficulties staying on point? If so, you’re also probably inherently curious and you can see things others miss.

Many people dealing with this disorder are impulsive and restless, which means they’re creative and energetic as well. Someone who is forgetful may simply be immersed in a task, and a disorganized mind is also spontaneous. Even the most undesirable characteristics mirror constructive ones. If you’re called moody, stubborn or pushy, you can let the antagonists know you’re actually sensitive, persistent and enthusiastic.

Applying the Positives to Your Life
Attention Focusing on your strengths is like recharging your spiritual battery. Instead of allowing certain characteristics to hold you back, let them propel you toward a successful life. If you tend to be hyper-focused, use that as motivation to achieve a goal. Rather than trying to control your intense awareness of the world around you, allow your intuitiveness to guide you through social and work-related relationships.

Any absentminded tendencies you have can also be used as fuel. Pinball thoughts feed ingenuity, which means you may be the greatest asset for workplace brainstorming. If you cannot walk away from a problem, use that to your advantage as well, and be the hero who explains the seemingly inexplicable. There is a wide range of potential in your quirks, from your diverse insight on the world to your ability to empathize with others.

A diagnosis of attention deficit disorder isn’t as dismal as some people believe. If you’ve ever doubted yourself because of this condition, try shifting your point of view. You likely have an instinctive knack for metaphorically kicking challenges in the shins, so use that sass to your advantage. Once you identify your strengths, you can unlock even more potential and benefit from the very traits that held you back.

Maintaining control during an anxiety attack may seem as impossible as harnessing a tornado, but you do have some power over your own mind and body. When the emotional and physical stresses of anxiety attacks occur, you have a choice to make: You can either let panic set in or you can work on keeping calm by practicing certain mental exercises.

Breathe and Visualize
Anxiety episodes challenge your body’s natural processes, and the first to be affected is your breathing. When you’re anxious, you may breathe more shallowly or subconsciously hold your breath. This can exacerbate your fear of losing control. To initiate a mind-body relaxation mode, practice square breathing, which is repeatedly inhaling and exhaling slowly for four counts each.

Another way to soothe your senses is through calming visualizations. Imagine yourself in a situation you thoroughly enjoy, such as relaxing on a beach or standing outside during a light snowfall. Picture every sensation you may feel during those moments. This will redirect your emotions and thoughts away from the anxiety symptoms.

Accept and Trust
Anxiety is just an emotional response, and it’s more tolerable than you think. Like any other feeling, it’ll pass. The key is accepting that your mind is tricking you into panicking. Rather than falling down the what-if well, focus on the present and decide if it’s really as bad as you imagine. When you start worrying about potential issues, take a pause, and allow yourself to come up with a plan for handling specific problems.

If it’s difficult to accept what your body is experiencing, try simply trusting yourself. Anxiety overrides logic, so concentrate on the fact that you have overcome many things in life already. Use these positive affirmations to alter the picture in your frenzied mind. Combine the constructive thoughts with yoga and meditation to quiet any alarms your brain sends during an attack.

The main thing to remember during anxiety attacks is that you have the choice to remain calm. It just takes practice, commitment and even some faith. These mental exercises work because they change the way the brain processes sensations and assigns emotions. You can be uncomfortable, but you don’t have to be so reactive to anxiety. Whenever you feel flustered, try a couple of these techniques. You may be surprised at how much authority over your body you actually have.