How to Give Your Brain the Stimulation It Needs

3:09 timestamp for anyone revisiting the video who just wants to rewatch the D.O.P.A. menu tutorial : )

So having 37 tabs open, with 5 Youtube tabs, a Twitch tab, a Netflix tab, with 3 videos playing at the same time is not the way to go??? Asking for myself!

6:41 I have Inattentive ADHD and Depression and it's a crazy 1-2 punch. Basically, if my brain isn't constantly stimulated, then I "fall out" and it can't be stimulated again by anything, so I just fall asleep. If I can't be stimulated, my brain's like "So.....why am I conscious, then?" I used to think that's what "boredom" meant. Apparently "boredom" is agitation that you want to do stuff but can't. I thought it referred to that physical feeling of having nothing you WANT to do. So I'd tell my mom "I'm bored" and she would give me extra chores. I'd be like "how tf is that supposed to help? Nothing seems interesting, so you give me something uninteresting?"

entrées - exciting/fulfilling activities desserts - overdone go tos appetizers - quick dopamine/low effort sides - things to add to activities specials - occaisonal high dopamime things (temporarily omit unrealistic ones) BONUS: - prep your surroundings by setting up what you need to start activities (decrease steps) - set barriers for unwanted desserts (increase steps)

Erick's change in tone when she asked "what if nothing is fun?" Oof, he knows the horrible lows of comorbid depression it sounds like. Definitely anyone out there who feels like they have ADHD and depression be careful and realize it's not healthy to feel like nothing is enjoyable. You deserve better as well 💜

As someone who wasn't diagnosed till college, I'm glad there's more resources coming out on dealing with ADHD that isn't exclusively targeted for parents of elementary schoolers.

Tip: a fun thing to do with ADHD is to learn languages. try to focus on one or two at a time. it even helps memory

Loved this exercise! Now I just have to remember to do it 😅

For "adding a challenge" I just wanted to share one my therapist suggested when I'm writing, which is to sit/bounce on an exercise ball. She said some progressive schools will let ADHD kids sit on them instead of at a desk and it helps with focus. It definitely helped me.

I just want to take a moment to appreciate the animations in this

Oh my gosh that transition at 4:38 from the specials menu being up on screen to a physical piece of paper was SO SMOOTH!

No ADHD here, but prone to depression. That change of tone is the greatest thing to remind yourself this : when the world seems to lose its colours and interest... Don't ignore the alert. Thank you so much for this video, so helpful even if you're not directly concerned by the ADHD problem.

I love this menu idea, I also added a section to my menu called nightcap for things that help quiet my racing thoughts or buzzing energy so I can relax or sleep

I think my brain just exploded. You mean 3 hour social media binges is not just me being lazy? It's actual boredom? And I can help myself not do this. I have GOT to try this. This is genius.

if i could add on to this idea: menu pricing. for example, i like painting, but i know that each time i paint it'll take at least 30 minutes, so that entrée "costs" 30 minutes

As a person with ADHD, I feel like a ferret living in a world designed and occupied by desert tortoises. Great video, love your channel!

Sometimes when I am struggling to be productive I have a saying: "Do anything other than nothing". And relatedly: "if you get stuck, start with the easy stuff". I find the mere act of having done something, anything productive really helps me feel like I have started my day, because I can be an Olympic-level procrastinator if I am not careful.

I never realized sending too many texts message is brain seeking stimulation. Or realized how many things my own ADHD impacts my life

The problem isn’t that I don’t have fun activities, it’s that I can think about it but I can’t actually get my body to get up and do it 🙄

6:50 I know it was edited this way, but the speed and tone with which Eric responds with "call your doctor" was so powerful. Like...of course thats an issue. Thats what depression is. No judgement, no beating around the bush. I wish someone had said that to me 7 years ago.