Om and OMG! A Yogi’s Adult ADHD Doodle Diary
The 30-Day (60-Second) Toilet Dead Hanging Challenge: Strengthening My Grip And Lengthening Life Expectancy
Dear ADHD Doodle Diary,
Today, I embarked on a journey that may be my most unusual yet: The 30-Day (60-Second) Toilet Dead Hanging Challenge.
Yep, you read that right.
Every time I visit the toilet (restroom)—which, let’s be honest, is more often than I’d like to admit—I’ll hang from a bar in the doorway for 60 seconds.
That’s 15 hangs a day (give or take), adding up to a full 15 minutes of micro-exercising.
Why?
Well, it turns out that hanging around is good for you—especially when it comes to grip strength. And as someone with ADHD, who’s easily distracted and notoriously bad at sticking to a traditional workout routine, this seemed like the perfect solution. Plus, who doesn’t want to kill two birds with one stone while answering nature’s call?
I got the Metis Adjustable Pull Up Bar from Amazon for £22 (unfortunately I’m not organised enough for this to be an affiliate link). It was easy to set up. There are a bunch of videos on how to set it up. Simply go to YouTube and type: “How to set up my Metis adjustable pull up bar?“.
Day 1: Restroom Revelations
Let me tell you, Diary, there’s something oddly empowering about transforming a mundane bathroom trip into a mini-workout.
Today, as I danged from my bar for the 10th time, I pondered the importance of grip strength. You see, grip strength isn’t just about being able to open jars or carry all your groceries in one trip (although that’s a nice perk).
A strong grip is a sign of overall health. Studies even suggest that weak grip strength might be an indicator of prematurely aging cells.
In other words, if your grip is weak, your body might be aging faster than it should. And let’s be real—I’ve got enough going on with ADHD; I don’t need my cells throwing in the towel early.
I try to remember to take deep Yogic breaths while hanging, which adds even more self-care into the mix.
Day 3: The Evolution of Hanging (or How Our Ancestors Did It)
As I hung there for the 47th time in two days (ADHD means lots of bathroom breaks), I couldn’t help but think about how important a strong grip has been throughout human history.
Imagine being one of our ancient ancestors, dangling from a tree branch to avoid becoming a saber-toothed tiger’s lunch. If you couldn’t hold on, well, you didn’t survive to pass on your genes.
For 300,000 years, humans have relied on their grip to climb, hunt, build, and generally stay alive. Today, while we might not be fleeing from predators, a strong grip is still crucial. It’s connected to everything from heart health to cognitive function.
So really, by hanging in the restroom, I’m just keeping the evolutionary flame alive.
Day 5: The Bathroom Hangouts Continue
Five days in, and I’m officially in the groove.
The pull-up bar I installed in the bathroom doorway has become my new best friend. I got it online for less than the cost of a takeout meal, and it’s already paid for itself in both entertainment and health benefits.
Every time I enter the restroom, it’s a reminder to pause, breathe, and hang.
There’s something wonderfully meditative about it.
In a life where distractions are constant (thank you, ADHD), these 60-second hangs are like little moments of Zen. I focus on the feeling of my hands gripping the bar, my muscles engaging, and everything else just falls away.
Day 10: Hanging in There (Literally and Figuratively)
Ten days down, and I’m starting to notice some real benefits.
My grip is stronger, my shoulders feel less tense, and, dare I say it, my bathroom trips are now a highlight of my day. It’s also helping me manage my ADHD symptoms in ways I didn’t expect.
Hanging for 60 seconds forces me to be present.
It’s a mini mental reset that helps clear the brain fog and gives me a quick boost of dopamine—the “feel-good” chemical that people with ADHD are often low on.
Plus, it’s just plain fun. Who knew that something as simple as hanging could be so rewarding?
Day 15: Midway Madness
We’re at the halfway mark, and the restroom hanging challenge is still going strong.
I’ve officially integrated it into my daily routine. Every trip to the bathroom is another chance to hang out (literally) and strengthen my grip.
My ADHD brain loves the mini structure, and my body loves the mini workouts.
I’ve even started playing around with different grips—palms facing forward, backward, and even trying a one-handed hang (with mixed results). Each variation adds a new challenge and keeps things interesting. And hey, when you’re hanging in the restroom 15 times a day, variety is key.
Day 20: The Unexpected Benefits
Twenty days in, and I’m feeling better than ever.
My grip is like iron, which is great for those pickle jars that used to mock me. But more importantly, I’ve noticed improvements in my posture and overall mood. Hanging stretches out my chest and shoulders, counteracting all the time I spend hunched over a screen (which I’m doing right now!).
And then there’s the mental clarity…
Those 60-second hangs are like hitting the reset button on my brain.
Every time I release my hands from the bar, I feel more focused, more energized, and ready to tackle whatever comes next.
It’s kinda hilarious to think that my most productive moments are happening in the restroom.
Day 25: The Final Stretch (and Hang)
With just five days to go, I’m practically a hanging pro.
I’ve stopped counting how many times I’ve hung from that bar (it’s well over 300 by now), and it’s become second nature. I’ve even started recommending the challenge to friends and family, who are both amused and intrigued by the idea.
One of the unexpected benefits?
The challenge has actually made me more mindful about how often I’m visiting the restroom. Each trip is now an opportunity for ADHD self-care—a moment to pause, hang, and feel good about taking care of my health in a small but meaningful way.
Day 30: Mission Accomplished
I did it!
30 days of hanging in the restroom, and I have to say, I’m pretty proud of myself. What started as a quirky experiment has turned into a habit that I plan to keep up long after the challenge is over.
My grip is stronger, my posture is better, and my ADHD symptoms feel more manageable.
This challenge has taught me that exercise doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming to be effective.
Sometimes, it’s the simple, silly things—like hanging from a bar in the bathroom—that makes a big difference.
George, Reflecting on The Toilet Dead Hanging 30-Day Challenge
If you’re an ADHD Adult Warrior looking for a fun, easy way to boost your physical and mental health, give the Toilet Dead Hanging 30-day Challenge a try. Your grip, and your dopamine levels, will thank you.
You deserve a motivational quote for reading this far…
“Life’s better when you’re just hanging out.”
And it would be amiss of me not to include a toilet-inspired motivational quote…
“Flush away your doubts, hang on to your strengths!”
It’s time to wrap this diary entry up.
Namaste (my soul high-fives your soul),
George Watts
P.S. Dear Diary, thanks for letting me write in you. And dear reader, thanks for reading.
Adult ADHD Coping Strategies Card Deck
Hope you enjoyed my blog post. I’m a yoga teacher with Adult ADHD, and live in West Wales, UK.