Can mindfulness and meditation reduce hyperactivity symptoms in ADHD?

PostedAugust 25, 2025

UpdatedSeptember 5, 2025

ByMy Patient Advice

Author: Victoria Rowe, MSc | Reviewed by: Dr. Rebecca Fernandez, MBBS

Practising meditation and mindfulness can help reduce hyperactivity in people with ADHD by promoting calm, focus, and emotional regulation. These practices promote awareness of the present moment, helping to improve impulse control and reduce restlessness.

Incorporating relaxation techniques, focus training, and other calming strategies into daily life gives both children and adults tools to manage their energy more effectively and respond thoughtfully to challenges.

How Meditation Helps ADHD

Here are some ways meditation and mindfulness can support hyperactivity management:

Improves Focus and Attention

Practising mindfulness regularly helps train the brain to maintain attention and recognise when it starts to wander, making it easier to refocus.

Reduces Impulsivity

By teaching individuals to pause and observe their thoughts before reacting, meditation can reduce impulsive behaviours.

Promotes Relaxation

Breathing exercises, body scans, and other relaxation techniques calm the nervous system, lowering stress and restlessness.

Builds Emotional Resilience

Mindfulness helps people recognise and accept their emotions, which can reduce frustration and emotional outbursts.

Supports Consistency in Practice

Short daily sessions, even just five minutes, are more effective than occasional long ones for building these skills.

By integrating focus training and calming strategies like meditation, families can support better self-control and well-being. Visit providers like ADHD Certify for personal consultations and guidance.

For a deeper dive into the science, diagnosis, and full treatment landscape, read our complete guide to Hyperactivity.

Victoria Rowe, MSc

Author

Victoria Rowe is a health psychologist with a Master’s in Health Psychology and a BS in Applied Psychology. She has experience as a school psychologist, conducting behavioural assessments, developing individualized education plans (IEPs), and supporting children’s mental health. Dr. Rowe has contributed to peer-reviewed research on mental health, including studies on anxiety disorders and the impact of COVID-19 on healthcare systems. Skilled in SPSS, Minitab, and academic writing, she is committed to advancing psychological knowledge and promoting well-being through evidence-based practice.

All qualifications and professional experience stated above are authentic and verified by our editorial team. However, pseudonym and image likeness are used to protect the author's privacy.

Dr. Rebecca Fernandez, MBBS

Reviewer

Dr. Rebecca Fernandez is a UK-trained physician with an MBBS and experience in general surgery, cardiology, internal medicine, gynecology, intensive care, and emergency medicine. She has managed critically ill patients, stabilised acute trauma cases, and provided comprehensive inpatient and outpatient care. In psychiatry, Dr. Fernandez has worked with psychotic, mood, anxiety, and substance use disorders, applying evidence-based approaches such as CBT, ACT, and mindfulness-based therapies. Her skills span patient assessment, treatment planning, and the integration of digital health solutions to support mental well-being.

All qualifications and professional experience stated above are authentic and verified by our editorial team. However, pseudonym and image likeness are used to protect the reviewer's privacy.