5. Get Outdoors
Some studies suggest that kids affected by ADHD should spend more time outdoors to help them cope with their symptoms. In today’s modern environment, many kids hardly ever spend any time outdoors playing. Instead, most choose to spend their time planted in front of the TV, playing video games, or watching Netflix.
It’s understandable why kids are drawn to the fantasy world of video games and TV, or playing with friends outdoors. Game manufacturers design their games to release dopamine in the brain, creating a feedback loop that reinforces the stimulus. As a result, kids become “addicted” to video games.
Unfortunately, the additional stimulus of playing video games may disrupt neurotransmitter production of the brain. As a result, children may find that they experience an exacerbation in their ADHD symptoms, requiring drug therapy to maintain balanced dopamine levels in the brain.
Playing outdoors for a few hours each day helps the child to release stress and connect with the external environment, allowing the brain to balance neurotransmitter production.