Can Mindfulness Practices Reduce Hyperactivity and Impulsivity? 

For many families dealing with an ADHD diagnosis, the challenges of impulsive ADHD such as blurting out answers, difficulty waiting turns, and constant movement can feel overwhelming. These behaviours are often due to a child’s difficulty in controlling their emotions, rather than a deliberate choice to misbehave. Increasingly, parents, educators, and adults are turning to mindfulness as a gentle, practical way to support emotional regulation . Rather than suppressing energy, mindfulness teaches awareness: of breath, body, and thought. And this awareness can, over time, open the door to calmer responses. 

How Mindfulness Helps Manage Hyperactivity and Impulsivity 

Mindfulness can offer children with impulsive ADHD a momentary pause, that critical second between feeling and action. Through simple practices like breathing or five-sense grounding, children begin to notice what’s happening inside them. This growing self-awareness builds emotional regulation, helping them recognise frustration before it turns into a meltdown. 

Rather than reacting on impulse, they learn to acknowledge their feelings and wait. That might mean fewer interruptions in class, less shouting at home, or more ease in social settings. These small shifts build up, supporting a greater sense of control and confidence. 

Using Mindfulness Alongside Behaviour Strategies 

While mindfulness is valuable, it works best as part of a wider behaviour strategy. That might include clear routines, visual support, structured praise, and parent training. Schools and therapists often add mindfulness into daily schedules, a few quiet minutes before a lesson or after lunch. 

When children practise daily, even for a few minutes, it really helps over time. Reduced fidgeting, improved listening, and fewer emotional outbursts are common outcomes when mindfulness is used in tandem with other tools. 

Final Thoughts 

Mindfulness is not a magical solution. But as part of a well-rounded approach, including parent training and behaviour support, it can offer families breathing room. Literally. 

For those exploring non-medication options after an ADHD diagnosis, mindfulness offers a low-risk, accessible starting point. It’s one way to help children (and adults) pause, notice, and choose how they respond. 

For more information on ADHD assessments and treatments, visit ADHD Certify .  

Explore more on emotional regulation techniques, CBT approaches and ADHD parenting strategies, in the resource hub.