The Allure of the Water & Pizza for those of us with ADHD!

For many individuals with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), the rapid pace of urban life can feel overwhelming. However, for many of us, we have discovered a meaningful refuge by the sea. The ocean's rhythmic waves and open horizons resonate so strongly with so many of us living with ADHD. I personally have had a deep connection with water since I was a young girl. I have also always had a connection with Pizza!

The Allure of the Ocean and Water

The ocean and lakes have always captivated my attention in unique ways. They have always offered me a way to escape from my daily grind, and offered me a chance to engage with something beautiful and soothing. Water whether I am in it or hearing it, calms me and helps me regulate my emotions, and nervous system. The sound of waves crashing against the shore always promotes a feeling of relaxation and focus in me. If I am having a particularly hard day, even taking a bath can make me feel so much better.

Research suggests that natural environments can reduce stress and enhance our mental health. For those of us with ADHD, the sheer simplicity of the sea can help manage the sensory overload often faced in bustling urban areas and/or our daily grind. Throughout history, healers around the world have recognized the therapeutic effects of water. The Greeks sought natural springs and baths to restore the mind and body, while the Japanese practiced misogi, an ancient water cleansing ritual that persists today.

The vastness of the ocean, clear skies, and the warmth of the sun, have always instilled a liberating sense of freedom for me. Being around water gives me a sense of awe and lets me feel like I am part of something bigger than myself. I remember always feeling drawn to the lake I lived by for all of my childhood.

Water is dynamic, so it holds our attention in a peculiar way. It tends to have a dream-like quality that allows us to quiet our minds; whether it is the sights, sounds or the smell of water. This can happen just being in or near a Pool that has a waterfall feature built into. I can enjoy being poolside, just as much as I can enjoy lounging by ocean.

The Beautiful Adult only Resort we Stayed at in 2025

The Therapeutic Benefits of Water

Scientifically, water has proven therapeutic benefits. The color blue, heavily associated with the ocean, is known to evoke feelings of peace and calm. Spending time by the pool, sea, ocean, or lake rejuvenates my focus and boosts my energy. Even if I do not enter the water, just being near it ehances my emotional well-being. If I was given a choice to live the acreage life I have now, or live near water, I would always choose the water. Most recently I have found a love for Kayaking, and I am working out the ligistics to load and unload my kayak solo to get us to Lacombe Lake once or twice a week. Once I have this figured out, there will probably be no stopping me.

A study found that physical activity in natural environments can increase feelings of vitality by as much as 30%. Acreage life and daily walks with my dog Spade - this combination of movement and mindfulness creates a powerful tool for managing my AHDH symptoms. Next to spending time on or near water, my love for nature and nature walks fills me to immerse myself in the surroundings. Connecting with nature, feels like home to me.

A walk with my dog at JJ Collete or a stroll along the beach when I am on vacation can transform my imagination, and allows me to immerse myself in my surroundings. The connection I have with water and nature fosters a sense of belonging, that is sometimes lacking in other environments.

I do not get to spend as much time as I would like to at the lake or near the ocean. But my regular routine and rituals of waking every morning, feeding my dog Spade, and heading straight outside to tend to my horses, take Spade for a walk, and work around the acreage, enhance my mental stability and improve my focus; and this carries me through all the mundane things I need to accomplish on the daily. I would rather be spending all my time outside, instead of inside. Knowing that I can be outside every morning in nature motivates me, and always encourages productivity.

Additionally, the tactile sensations of the beach—feeling sand between my toes, experiencing the weightlessness of swimming, and enjoying the feeling of a cool breeze—helps ground me in the present. This heightened sense of mindfulness is so beneficial for my ADHD, allowing me to better concentrate and focus on the things in my life that are important; namely my daily mundane chores and my mental health.

Embracing the Coastal Connection

The relationship between people with ADHD and the sea is profound. Through scientific insights, it becomes clear that the ocean offers much more than just a beautiful view. It serves as a sanctuary where those of us with ADHD can reflect, recharge, and cultivate connections with themselves.

As the rhythmic waves roll onto the shore, I find a sense of companionship. Solace often resides in the simplest of places, whether it is the gentle pull of the ocean or the warm kiss of the sun. For many of us with ADHD, whether it is the sea, the ocean, a pool or a lake, these places are not just a place of beauty; they are a true home away from home.......and let's not forgot, these are also great places to sit at enjoy a great slice of life - that would be a PIZZA slice of course!