Strategies for Alleviating the Boredom Associated with Exercise

Just about every expert in the ADD field will tell you that exercise is one of the best ADD management strategies there is. According to the book Delivered from Distraction:

"When a person exercises, she sets in motion a cascade of events that her brain loves. She sends more blood to her brain. With more blood comes more oxygen. Exercise also stimulates the release of a plethora of nutrients, hormones, chemical precursors of neurotransmitters, growth factors and cleansing agents that bathe the brain in precisely what it needs to function at its best."

From Delivered from Distraction by Edward Hallowell, M.D. and John Ratey, M.D. Copyright 2005. Page 219.

And in addition to the health and focus benefits, exercise feels good. So why don't we do it more?

For many adults with ADD, the answer to that question is "boredom". When exercise becomes boring for an ADDer, it becomes something to avoid.

Here are 4 strategies for alleviating the boredom associated with exercise:

1. Get out of the Gym

Many ADDers join gyms with a lot of excitement, only to find that their enthusiasm wears out quickly. Being on a stationary bike, treadmill, or stair climber for 30 minutes begins to seem like torture after a while.

Instead of feeling forced to get your exercise at this gym, take these activities outside. Walk or bike around the neighborhood, or find some real stairs to climb! Change of scenery goes a long way in alleviating boredom.

2. Follow the Seasons

Find seasonal activities that you might enjoy. In the winter, skiing, ice skating and snow showing are great forms of exercise. In the summer, the choices are almost limitless: team sports, swimming, rollerblading, biking, etc.

3. Join an Activity Club or Take a Class

A great way to ensure that you get regular exercise is to follow some pre-set structure. Exercise classes that meet once or twice a week for an hour or so will really help you shape up. Try dance or martial arts classes for a good workout!

Or, if there is a physical activity that you really love, but never allow yourself the time to enjoy, give yourself permission to join an activity club. You'll meet new people, spend more time on what you enjoy, and get your exercise in the process.

4. Use Music

If you must go to the gym, bring along some headphones and some fun music. It will keep your energy level up, and will allow you to focus on something a little more interesting than the wall in front of your exercise equipment.

Exercise is an excellent tool for managing ADD. It offers many physical and mental health benefits, and it can be a lot of fun! Remember, when an ADDer starts to get bored with exercise, it's time to mix it up.

Note: Always check with your doctor before beginning a new exercise routine.

Jennifer Koretsky is a Professional ADD Management Coach who helps adults manage their ADD and move forward in life. She encourages clients to increase self-awareness, focus on strengths and talents, and create realistic action plans. She offers a 90-day intensive skill-building program, workshops, and private coaching. Her work has been featured in numerous media, including The New York Times Magazine and The Times (UK). To subscribe to Jennifer's free email newsletter, The ADD Management Guide, please visit http://www.addmanagement.com/e-newsletter.htm

In The News:

WBUR
Vigorous Exercise Might Protect Against Psoriasis
WebMD
By Rita Rubin May 24, 2012 -- Here's yet another reason to exercise: A new study suggests that vigorous physical activity could reduce the risk of psoriasis. The findings come out of the long-running Nurses' Health Study, which includes only women, ...
Exercise Linked With Decreased Psoriasis Risk: StudyHuffington Post
Exercise tied to lower risk of psoriasis, study findsFox News
Exercise tied to lower risk of psoriasis: studyReuters
WBUR -Everyday Health
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New York Times
'Futile exercise that ignores Kashmiri aspirations'
Times of India
SRINAGAR: Kashmir's separatist leaders on Thursday rejected the report submitted by the Centre-appointed interlocutors calling it a futile exercise. While Mehbooba Mufti's PDP welcomed some of the recommendations of the report, chief minister Omar ...
Parties in Kashmir reject interlocutors' report as govt's trick to buy timeIndia Today
Kashmir recipe: pass the buckCalcutta Telegraph
Interlocutors ready to meet Hurriyat on Kashmir reportHindustan Times

all 153 news articles »

Science Codex
Cyber exercise partners help you go the distance
Science Codex
A new study testing the benefits of a virtual exercise partner shows the presence of a moderately more capable cycling partner can significantly boost the motivation – by as much as 100 percent – to stick to an exercise program.
Cyber exercise partners help you go the distance: Motivation gains can doubleMedical Xpress

all 3 news articles »

How my exercise playlist keeps me going
Boston.com (blog)
Every song I picked has a person or memory attached to it. It really helped me keep my mind off of thinking about how tired I was getting or how far I still had to go. What little tricks do you use when you have to get through a hard exercise routine?


Yoga - another exercise for diabetics
LaSalle News Tribune
Edelman stated yoga combines meditation and breathing to form a relaxing method of exercise. Edelman was diagnosed with Type I diabetes in 2005. After experiencing a lack of local diabetes support resources, she turned to the Internet for support.


Exercise does not improve lipoprotein levels in obese patients with fatty ...
EurekAlert (press release)
New research found that moderate exercise does not improve lipoprotein concentrations in obese patients with non alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Results published in the June issue of Hepatology, a journal of the American Association for the ...

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2012 Statewide Hurricane Exercise Demonstrates State's Preparedness for ...
WCTV
The State Emergency Response Team (SERT) today concluded the 2012 Statewide Hurricane Exercise at the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) in Tallahassee. Organized by the Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM), the exercise is designed to ...

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Venerable Announces Option Exercise Payment
MarketWatch (press release)
... Inc. (collectively, the "Optionors"), the Company has completed the first anniversary payments required to be made to the Optionors as partial consideration for the exercise of the option to acquire a 100% interest in and to the Trout Property.

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Exercise Is Healthy, but Does It Make You Live Longer?
U.S. News & World Report
Yet a growing body of evidence shows that regular exercise can delay or prevent many age-related ailments, even among longtime couch potatoes. "There's compelling data that older individuals participating in exercise programs show dramatic improvement ...


Runner fights through exercise-induced asthma
WDTN
(AP) - A West Michigan high school junior hopes to qualify for several state track events while fighting exercise-induced asthma. The Holland Sentinel reports that Melissa Francis keeps going nonstop, whether it's on the basketball court or the track.

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