If you’ve ever met an individual that suffers with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), you’ve seen someone whose mind never ceases to stop. One minute they’re intently focused on a certain subject, the next moment their train of thought has completely shifted to something only mildly related. The link between these two areas may be a minute detail, but to the ADHD mind, everything is connected. There are benefits to having ADHD, such as unique thinking patterns and creativity, but there are downsides too.

Here are a few ways to minimize symptoms and alleviate side effects:

1. Adopt an ADHD diet

When dealing with issues of the brain, our first stop is the kitchen. What we put into our mouth every day greatly influences the way we think, feel, and perform throughout our waking hours. For individuals that battle with ADHD-like symptoms, staying away from processed foods and simple sugars are the first step in the right direction. These ingredients wreak havoc on the system and can cause the thought process to become cluttered and over stimulated. Instead, it is recommended to eat foods that have healthy fat content. Below are a few items that will calm ADHD symptoms while also providing tons of energy:

• Organic nuts
• Fish
• Avocado
• Chia
• Dark chocolate
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Olives

2. Eat protein

It has been noticed that ADHD patients who eat a protein-rich diet seem to thrive, despite their setbacks and side effects. The protein in these foods help assist the brain in forming new neural pathways, which can lead to improved habits. Healthy habits and routine behavior work wonders for ADHD sufferers and allows them to lead life on their own terms. Eating lean beef, chicken, eggs and poultry are a surefire way of managing ADHD while also maintaining optimum health.

3. Behavior modification

Once a patient has begun to incorporate better food choices, it is time to turn inward and examine the behavioral patterns. Research has shown that behavior therapy is an integral part of treating the symptoms of ADHD. The goal of this type of therapy is to eliminate problem behaviors and strengthen positive ones. Behavior therapy can give a patient the skills and strategies to curb disruptive behavior.

4. Look for patterns

In the following days and weeks, we recommend a homework challenge. We would like for you to sit down at the end of each day for five minutes and go over your behavior for that day. Did you follow the plans that you had set out to complete that morning? Did you leave a task or chore unfinished? Did you procrastinate on a certain subject or skip a study session? When we examine these behavior patterns, we become more likely to alter them in the following weeks.