Does your child have a hard time staying focused during tasks and make careless
mistakes? Are they overly impulsive or restless? Do they seem not to listen when spoken
to? Maybe your child’s teachers or other caregivers have suggested they be assessed for
ADHD?
Unfortunately, the number of children diagnosed and medicated for ADHD has drastically
gone up over the past couple decades. While there are many treatment options for focus
and behaviour, here are 5 simple at home tips to improve ADHD symptoms.
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Sleep. Think about how moody, impulsive, or indecisive you were last time you
didn’t have a good night’s sleep! Unfortunately, many children aren’t getting
enough quality sleep these days. In fact, school-aged children need 9-11 hours
of sleep every night so they can focus, learn, and grow. To help kids ease into a
more restful sleep, practice relaxation techniques with them and turn off
technology at least 45 minutes before bed.
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Diet. You’ve likely heard the saying “You are what you eat!” If your family eats a
lot of processed food with sugar, preservatives, and food colouring, you’re likely
to have hyper, colourful kids on your hands – figuratively speaking of course!
When behaviour, learning, and concentration are an issue, it’s especially
important to ditch the additives and focus on real food. Food sensitivities can also
be a trigger for some children, causing brain fog and behaviour problems. Talk to
your Naturopathic Doctor to find out if food sensitivities are a factor for your
child.
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Routine. Most children do better when they have some level of structure in their
lives. Regular mealtimes and a consistent bedtime are important, but so are
planned activities like outings and homework time. Setting expectations with a “to
do” list or day planner might help keep kids on track and manage anxiety.
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Physical activity. We all need to move, but kids need even more movement on
a daily basis! When children have an outlet to release their energy, they are
better able to focus and learn. Some progressive schools have introduced
standing desks with swinging foot bars or yoga balls to let kids fidget while
focusing on their work. General guidelines recommend getting 60 minutes of
vigorous physical activity daily, but if your child tends to be hyperactive, more
movement might be helpful!
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Fish oil. Clinical research shows that omega-3 fatty acids improves behaviour,
attention, hyperactivity, and mood. Did you know that omega-3 fatty acids are
essential fatty acids, because the body can’t make them? That means that you
need to get it from your diet. The best sources of omega-3s are fatty fish
(Salmon), seeds (flax, hemp, and chia seeds), or from a supplement. Always talk
to your Naturopathic Doctor before taking a new supplement or giving one to
your child.
As always, we are here to support you! If you have more questions or would like to explore
more ways to improve your child’s focus and behaviour, give us a call at 905-892-1318.
We focus on treatment plans that are customized for your child’s needs!
#adhdsupport, #adhdlifehacks, #happykidshappyparents, #thrivewithus, #livestyleboost,
#healthaware
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