Individuals with ADHD have a more difficult time forming healthy lifestyle habits. Since those with ADHD have trouble with memory and remaining focused, it can be even more challenging for them to “organize daily tasks and routines”. “The term lifestyle change inherently means that changes are made such that they can be followed for the lifetime of an individual.” It is important for persons with ADHD to determine tactics to help develop healthy lifestyle habits.
What Is Habit Stacking?
Often when trying to form a new habit, people tend to jump right in with the hope that the habit will stick. The truth is, committing to behavior is not as simple as it seems. Forming a habit takes time and, often, multiple attempts. This is where habit stacking can help. For example, if you are trying to incorporate a certain food into your daily diet, like blueberries, you may want to try eating a few blueberries with your first glass of water in the morning. Integrating a new behavior with an already established routine can help you remember and feel this habit is more attainable. After developing this habit, you can include more; after eating blueberries, you make sure to wash the dishes used for breakfast. All of these different behaviors will eventually become a morning routine.
Benefits of Habit Stacking for ADHD
Habit stacking can help you with the following ADHD challenges:
Focusing Organization Commitment Prioritization Memory Managing emotions Reducing stress
How to Habit Stack
Below are some steps that can help you during the process of habit stacking:
A Word From Verywell
Implementing a new habit into one’s life isn’t an easy thing. It usually takes multiple attempts for a habit to stick. The added roadblocks associated with ADHD, like disorganization, memory issues, and difficulty focusing, make habit forming even more difficult. Luckily, habit stacking can help accomplish the goal of forming new lifestyle habits, despite ADHD symptoms interference. You might have tried your own tactics to make certain behaviors a consistent part of your routine but received no results; it’s possible that habit stacking is just what you’ve been looking for.
