3 Tips to Hacking Your ADHD Sleep Issues

ADHD and Sleep Issues: Real Life Answers for Real Life Questions

Today we’re continuing our series on real-life answers for real-life questions, addressing ADHD and sleep issues.

I’m Angela Howard and my passion is to break the stigma of mental health issues among fellow Christians. If you’re new to my channel be sure to subscribe and follow so you don’t miss out on any of the new content!

Here’s our real-life question…

Real Life Question: “I’m a mom with ADHD who also has a teenage daughter with ADHD—we both have issues with falling asleep and getting up in the morning. Is this related to ADHD and what can we do about it?”

Real Life Answer: Yes, and yes. According to Dr. William Dodson “50 percent of children with ADHD have difficulty falling asleep almost every night by age 12 ½ by age 30, more than 70 percent of adults with ADHD report that they spend more than one hour trying to fall asleep at night.” There are also issues with restless sleep, difficulty waking up, and intrusive sleep. So what can you do?

3 Tips to Hacking Your Sleep Issues

Create Healthy Sleep Hygiene

Go to bed at the same time every night
Keep screens out of your bedroom (they emit a blue light which tricks your body into thinking it’s daytime and NOT time to sleep)
Get up at same time every morning
Use your bed for sleeping—not working, solving relationship problems, or folding laundry
Ease into your bedtime by winding down with calming activities

Check in with Your Doctor

There could be other issues impacting your sleep. You may have restless leg syndrome, sleep apnea, or your circadian rhythm may be off. A doctor can help you address these problems that could be contributing to the problem. There are also medications that may be an appropriate treatment.

Check out APPs and the Latest Tech

There are all kinds of APPs that help with establishing a sleep cycle routine and white noise machines that provide a predictable rhythm of sound that’s soothing. There are even clocks that mirror the sun rising. Check out some suggestions in the bonus resources.

The brokenness of this world is pretty obvious when we are facing a physical or mental illness, but you are not alone in the fight. Remember what it says in Matthew 11:28…

Scripture

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28 (NIV)

Question:

What real-life questions about mental illness do you have? I’d love to hear from you today, comment below.

No more confusion or wondering how you’ll face the roller coaster of life with mental illness. Mental Health Academy is here to take the mystery away, and give you the knowledge and the tools you need to have relationships that last! The time is NOW to get our first course: Trauma.

Please subscribe for videos on our Youtube Channel for our amazing resources. I’ll be sharing great tips and encouragement for whatever your facing—whether you’re fighting mental illness or have a loved one who is.