Why Relaxing Feels So Hard for ADHD and Autistic Minds

Relaxation isn't as simple as "just chilling out" when you're neurodivergent.
Many ADHD and autistic people struggle with switching off because their brains are wired for constant stimulation, scanning, and processing.

For ADHD brains, downtime can feel uncomfortable — the lack of external stimulation makes the mind race harder.
For autistic brains, unfamiliar sensory environments or "relaxation" activities that don't match your sensory needs can actually cause more stress, not less.

True rest for ND people often doesn't look like lying still. It might look like engaging in a focused interest, gentle repetitive movement, or a familiar sensory ritual.
Understanding your unique nervous system needs is key to finding what "relaxation" actually means for you.

You’re not broken — your brain just has different requirements for rest.

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