Is Your Home Environment Making Your ADHD Symptoms Worse?

Studies have proven that lighting, air quality, and connection with nature significantly impact those diagnosed with ADHD.

We that have ADHD have an immense sensitivity to our environments. We struggle to flourish in multi-sensory environments.

Lighting:

People with ADHD are known to have issues with bright lights. Statistically, those with ADHD are twice as likely to have sensitivity to bright light. Instead of using bright lights in a study or home space, opt for a table or floor lamp for more task-focused lighting. Dimmable lights are also appreciated and proven to help with sensory issues in ADHD.

Lighting that makes noise can be another distraction for us over-stimulated wallflowers. Stay away from fluorescent lighting and other lighting that produces a humming noise. It may not be noticeable to you, but it can sometimes be the only thing we can focus on when in a room. Instead, try looking into Acoustic Lighting. These are proven and designed to reduce background noise indoor spaces.

Acoustic Lighting: https://www.buzzi.space/acoustic-solutions/types/acoustic-lighting

Air Quality:

Increasing carbon dioxide levels have negatively increased concentration levels. Focusing issues caused by our breathing is something I never accounted for as a problem. Our rising carbon dioxide levels may even factor in our constant increase in ADHD diagnoses yearly.

Studies showed that children with ADHD showed less hyperactivity energy in houses that clean consistently with a vacuum than those who don't.

Another way to improve air quality in your home is with indoor plants. Indoor plants will help lower the carbon dioxide levels in your home. House plants enhance the quality of air by 25%.

Even having houseplants in your study space has proven to help improve concentration in classrooms and homes. Plants help lower the sensory levels in the environment and enhance air quality, and their continued existence reduces other ADHD symptoms like anxiety and depression.

Studies have shown that interactions with plants daily have reduced levels of anxiety and depression and improved mood quality. Even without interacting with plants, having them in your room for five minutes can lower cortisol levels.

Connection With Nature:

Plants also help connect us with nature. In today's world, children and adults spend 85% of their life indoors. Especially since the Covid pandemic, people have noticed a large disassociation with nature.

Bringing plants into your home is a way to reconnect with nature when we spend so much time inside. Children with ADHD have experienced less hyperactivity and better levels of focus after interacting in a green-filled space.

If your schedule allows it, try starting your or your child's day with a morning walk experiencing and interacting with nature.

I know I am about to make a small anxiety-free station with low lighting and bean bags surrounded by plants. Consider these things when designing a space for your ADHD child or adult.

And remember, the more plants, the better! :)