“I am a huge proponent for the disc journal system as someone with ADHD. It gives me the endless option of adding and re-arranging my inserts as needed. One day a layout may work amazing and the next day I need to reorder my work. This alleviates the pressure of empty or missed pages.” —Mandy Teefey, CEO & Co-Founder of Wondermind
Highly Recommend
07.14.23
07.14.23
11 Tools That Actually Help People With ADHD
A little less distraction, right this way.
We’re all easily distracted these days, with digital notifications and apps constantly vying for our attention. But for those living with ADHD (or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder), this reality can be even more overwhelming.
That’s because ADHD impacts the brain’s executive functioning skills, which can make things like organization, planning, and following through with tasks difficult. Although everyone’s experience of the condition is different, common symptoms include inattention (difficulty focusing or staying on task), hyperactivity (such as restlessness or fidgeting), and impulsivity (acting without forethought or struggling with self-control).
When it comes to treating ADHD, evidence-based treatments like cognitive behavioral therapy and medication are a great option. But there are also many tools you can add to your routine to help you keep your ADHD in check on a day-to-day basis, whether it’s noise-canceling headphones to keep you focused or a visual timer to help you stay on track. Below, we asked people living with ADHD as well as therapists who help clients with ADHD which products they swear by to make life a little easier.
Remember: None of these products are meant to treat ADHD. If you’re looking to do that, checking in with a licensed mental health professional or your primary health care provider is key.
All products featured on Wondermind are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
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2.Amazon“I recommend using a good old-fashioned alarm clock or a sunrise alarm clock that gradually wakes you up. This is a helpful strategy for those of us who tend to use our phones as alarms and can easily become preoccupied and overwhelmed by the influx of stimuli in the morning.” —Miriam Kirmayer, PhD, licensed clinical psychologist
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3.TileTile Mate 4-Pack
$74.99“One of the biggest issues I face with my ADHD is losing or misplacing important items like my keys, wallet, and phone. Putting Tile trackers in all of the things I tend to lose has been a lifesaver. I feel way more reassured than I used to when I leave the house and spend less time frantically searching for my stuff.” —Claire M., 31
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“I recommend a variety of minimalist to-do list apps like Todoist and Any.do to help with collecting and organizing tasks and setting reminders for certain times and days. People with ADHD often keep many lists and notebooks but having all of your tasks available in one spot can keep someone from losing track of things.” —Jessica Stern, PhD, licensed clinical psychologist
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“For individuals that like to write things down or frequently get distracted, having a notepad on your desk can help jot thoughts down for someone to come back to later rather than attending to the distraction in the moment. Pads from the Knock Knock line can be fun and practical.” —Jessica Stern, PhD, psychologist
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6.AmazonApple AirPods Pro
$189“Because I’m so easily distracted by what’s going on around me, I always wear my Apple AirPods Pro on noise canceling when I’m doing focused work. It helps me drown out whatever’s going on and I always get my work done faster as a result. I’ve also started using them to help me meditate, which is something I always struggled with before.”
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7.AmazonFeilifan Cube Timer
$11.99“A simple manual timer can be helpful for focusing on a task for a limited amount of time. Putting your phone away for the duration of that task and using the timer only can help reduce distraction.” —Jessica Stern, PhD, licensed clinical psychologist
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8.AmazonMKO Key Rack
$9.99“A simple caddy or key holder for the front door can be helpful in establishing a reliable spot for someone to consistently hold items they lose but frequently need (e.g., keys, sunglasses, reusable bags, pet leash, etc.). Creating a routine out of that caddy can help with losing and forgetting items you need when running out the door.” —Jessica Stern, PhD, licensed clinical psychologist
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9.AmazonAmazon Echo
$54.99“I used to struggle a lot with remembering appointments and meetings because I would forget to put them on my calendar. Now whenever something is scheduled I just tell my Amazon Echo to put them on my calendar right away, which has saved me a lot of stress and apologies.” —Leia R., 30
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10.Amazon“Timers help my clients with ADHD to visualize time, improving their time awareness and time management skills. Some patients use an hourglass for this.” —Juan Romero-Gaddi, MD, psychiatrist
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“As much as I love watching home organization videos on Instagram, my apartment is always in need of some help. When I start cleaning, something inevitably distracts me and cuts it short. But a few months ago I bought a bunch of large bins to make it easier and designated one for things that still need to be put away to give some organization to the still-unorganized chaos.” —Jennifer O., 32
Wondermind does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Any information published on this website or by this brand is not intended as a replacement for medical advice. Always consult a qualified health or mental health professional with any questions or concerns about your mental health.
