Diary of an Adult with ADHD: My Not-So-Secret Weapon—Exercise

Om and OMG! A Yogi’s Adult ADHD Doodle Diary

Diary of an Adult with ADHD: My Not-So-Secret Weapon—Exercise As A Daily Habit

Dear ADHD Doodle Diary,

Today, I came to a realization as profound as Newton’s discovery of gravity (but with fewer apples and more sweat).

Exercise might just be the magic potion I’ve been searching for to tame my unruly Adult ADHD brain.

Yes, exercise!

Who knew that something as simple as moving my body could work wonders? Well, everyone knew—except me, apparently.

The ADHD brain doesn’t exactly come with an “off” switch, and mine seems to prefer running in 20 different directions at once. My mind was buzzing with ideas, plans, and random thoughts (like whether squirrels have best friends).

But this time, instead of diving into my usual routine of trying to tackle all my tasks at once—only to end up exhasted —I decided to lace up my sneakers and go for a run.

 

The 7 “THINGS” I Learned During My Exercise Journey

 

Thing 1: The Reluctant “Run Habit” Beginning

Let me be clear: I am not one of those people who leaps out of bed, excited for a workout.

I would much rather stay in bed, under a comfy blanket of denial.

But something about the chaos in my head nudged me. So, I started running, and almost immediately, something magical happened. My thoughts, usually scattered, began to line up like polite little soldiers. I could focus on one thing at a time—a rarity for my ADHD-addled brain.

As I ran, I realized that exercise isn’t just good for my body; it’s like WD-40 for my brain. It greases the rusty gears, making everything move more smoothly. The mental fog lifted. I could think clearly, prioritise, and—most shockingly—slow down.

I now run two or three times a week.

Thing 2: The Science-y Stuff

I researched the science!

Apparently, there’s a lot of science behind this phenomenon (because of course, there is).

When I exercise, my brain releases all sorts of feel-good chemicals, like dopamine and endorphins. These are the same chemicals that my ADHD brain is constantly chasing but never quite catching. When I exercise, the chasing stops.

Dopamine, in particular, is a big deal for ADHD brains.

It’s the neurotransmitter responsible for motivation, focus, and pleasure. Basically, it’s the key ingredient that helps me get stuff done. When I exercise, my brain gets a little dopamine boast, and suddenly, tasks that felt impossible before seem doable. It’s like having a secret superpower—but without the cape (or the ability to fly).

Thing 3: Taming the Hyperactive Beast

 

Another perk of exercising is that it helps me burn off some of that hyperactive energy that’s always buzzing under the surface.

My ADHD brain is like a toddler who’s had too much sugar—constantly moving, fidgeting, and unable to sit still. But after a workout, even a 60 second one, I feel more grounded. 

It’s as if the excess energy has been siphoned off, leaving me calm and focused.

Plus, let’s be honest—exercise is a great excuse to indulge my ADHD love of variety. One day, I might go for a run; the next, I’m practising yoga (it helps being a yoga teacher); the next, calisthenics; the next, Pilates; the next, lifting weights.

I find it impossible to do the same exercise routine twice in a row, so instead of fight that, I make sure that all my exercise toys are always out and ready to use – the yoga mat, yoga straps, medicine ball, foam roller, bands, exercise bike, weights…there’re all aways out. If I pack them away, my ADHD brain would forget they ever existed and would never be used!

The point is, there’s no routine so dull that it can’t be spiced up with a little movement. And for someone with ADHD, that’s a big deal.

Thing 4: Ultimate Multitasking Tool

Exercise also satisfies my ADHD brain’s love for multitasking—but in a good way.

When I’m on my exercise bike or practising plank pose, I’m not just working out; I’m also planning my day, brainstorming blog ideas, and mentally seeing myself check off my To-do List.

And if I get bored halfway through (because, let’s be honest, I usually do), I can switch it up.

I’ll do a different yoga pose, maybe get my Ab Roller out, and then crash on my yoga bolster and do some twists. Who knew exercise could be so ADHD-friendly?

Thing 5: World Conquering

After exercising, there’s this magical period where I feel like I can conquer the world.

My mind is clear, my body is energized, and for once, I feel in control of my thoughts. This is when I tackle the tasks that usually overwhelm me—like answering emails, paying bills, or, heaven forbid, planning for the future.

But the best part?

I’m no longer rushing around like a headless chicken. I can make a cup of tea without trying to do it at million miles an hour. And even if I don’t get everything done, I’m okay with it. Because exercise has taught me that it’s not about perfection; it’s about process.

Thing 6: How I Tricked Myself Into A Daily Habit

I have to admit, though, that getting myself to exercise regularly is a challenge.

My ADHD brain is not a fan of routines (unless they involve YouTube and snacks).

So, I had to get creative.

First, I made it fun. I started creating Yoga Card Decks and Pilates Card Decks. The cards turn exercise into a game, and my ADHD brain loves games.

I also set reminders on my phone, with alarms that are impossible to ignore (think foghorns and sirens). And I gave myself permission to start small—just 10 minutes a day. Because even I can commit to 10 minutes.

George, Reflecting on Exercise And Why He’s Stuck With It 

In the end, exercise has become my not-so-secret weapon against Adult ADHD.

It helps me focus.

It helps me manage my energy.

It helps me feel like I’ve got at least some control over the chaos in my head.

So, dear diary, I’m committing to making exercise a regular part of my life. Because if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that a little movement goes a long way.

If you’ve made it this far, you either haven’t got Adult ADHD, or something else hasn’t distracted you yet. Bravo! Though, I’m not going to push my luck.

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.