ADHD Support in Bath and Bristol: Finding Clarity, Resilience, Self-Compassion and Better Coping Strategies

Discovering you have Combined Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Ever looked back at your life and had a profound "Ohhhh, that’s why!" moment? That feeling of instant, relieving clarity is powerful when you finally connect the dots about your unique mind and experiences. For me, that moment arrived last June when I was diagnosed with combined Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

What is ADHD?

ADHD is a neurodevelopmental condition. This means the brain is wired and chemically regulated differently, specifically affecting the brain's Executive Functions. These functions are the "CEO" skills needed for self-management, such as:

• Focus and Attention

• Impulse Control

• Organisation and Planning

• Emotional Regulation

ADHD is complex and is generally categorised into three presentations: Inattentive (difficulty focusing), Hyperactive/Impulsive (excessive energy and acting without thinking), or Combined (a mix of both).

Retracing the Path: The Unseen Struggles

In retrospect, I can now view my entire life path, my career changes, my businesses, my training in yoga and massage, through a completely different lens. I was not just navigating life; I was navigating a brain with unique chemistry and wiring.

Suddenly, the lifelong quirks and challenges that often left me confused or anxious made complete sense:

• The Internal Chaos: A perpetually busy, confused mind, hyperactivity of the mind, overthinking, and chronic indecisiveness.

• The Energy Swings: Insomnia, bad sleep, alternating with periods of intense energy and deep hyper focus (not always on the right things!)

• The Impulsive Loop: Impulsivity, risk-taking behaviours (chasing that dopamine hit!), procrastination, and cycles of overspending ("blowing money")!

• The Emotional Weight: High sensitivity, anxiety, and a relentless fear of failure and perfectionism that meant projects always took longer and were more stressful.

  
  

I was often long-winded, frequently late, impulsive, and terrible at keeping money in my pocket! Yet, the best realisation is that I developed a deep bank of coping mechanisms and resilience to survive and get through it all!

How Metta Services Support ADHD Symptoms

The self-awareness gained from a diagnosis is just the first step. If you have ADHD, it is beneficial to get ADHD support. Our yoga and therapeutic massage services are intentionally structured to help the ADHD brain manage common symptoms and build internal regulation:

• Yoga and Movement provides a structured, acceptable channel to utilise excess physical energy, which is essential for managing hyperactivity and fidgeting. It helps improve body awareness and the mind-body connection, grounding the impulsive energy into a present-moment action. This focus on movement can be a powerful tool for those seeking ADHD management strategies.

• Massage Therapy and focused Breathwork are vital tools for supporting a dysregulated nervous system. Therapeutic touch and focused pressure in massage help regulate the nervous system, moving you from the stressed 'fight or flight' state to a relaxed state, which directly aids emotional regulation and counters sensory overload.

• Meanwhile, breathwork techniques immediately interrupt racing thoughts and hyperactivity of the mind, helping to improve clarity and ground you in the present moment, offering a practical form of ADHD coping mechanism.

The embedded Mindfulness within both yoga and massage acts as direct training for focus and planning (Executive Function) and provides holistic ADHD support. By requiring single-point focus (on a posture, the breath, or a physical sensation), these practices train the brain to sustain attention and reduce internal distractions, offering essential support for the inattentive aspects of ADHD and mindfulness for ADHD.

From Quirk to Strength: The Power of Self-Awareness

This clarity from self-discovery is truly transformative. It has allowed me to reframe my past: I no longer see my previous struggles as failures, but as evidence of how adaptable and resilient I was; I can now offer myself far more self-compassion and kindness. I have learned that my brain chemistry is simply different, and some things will take more effort or time; my intense energy, hyper-focus, and high sensitivity are not burdens; they are powerful strengths when directed properly. This shift in perspective and reframing unhelpful, outdated beliefs and thoughts is the first step toward true well-being and inner peace.

Our Metta Mission: Self-Awareness Leads to Peace

At Metta Yoga and Massage, we embrace this holistic journey of self-discovery.

The Sanskrit word Metta means loving kindness. We believe that the process of understanding your own unique wiring, whether through the physical self-awareness gained from yoga for focus, the calming focus of massage for anxiety, or simply connecting your own life's dots, is what leads directly to self-compassion.

When you understand your brain, you can treat yourself with more kindness and set yourself up for a more balanced, peaceful, and fulfilling life. We embrace the fact that we are all wired differently, and that difference is a strength waiting to be embraced.

Are you ready to explore how your body and mind work together? Book a session with Metta today to start building your resilience!