When people are told that they are restless, it is usually negatively framed as something that has to be controlled, minimized, or cured. In children and adults with ADHD, restlessness is usually one of the first traits others describe. Teachers may report that a child “can’t sit still,” whereas adults may get criticized for “fidgeting too much”. But what if restlessness isn’t inherently negative? What if, instead, it can be viewed as energy, curiosity, and drive that simply need to be channeled into good things? In this article, we aim to prove restlessness in ADHD is not always a bad thing.
Why Restlessness Gets a Bad Reputation
The issue with restlessness is that it does not necessarily align with society’s standards. Schools are constructed for children who can remain seated for hours on end, and companies prefer stillness and focus in meetings or work. In such environments, restlessness can potentially be confused for a lack of interest or discipline. This confusion can be eroding to self-esteem, particularly if children or adults hear the message that something is “wrong” with them. Very often, individuals with ADHD come to learn how to mask their restlessness, oftentimes at the cost of attention, honesty, and even mental health. However, the instant we stop viewing restlessness as a flaw, we can watch it for what it typically is: energy, drive, and an eagerness to engage with the world practically.
Restlessness in Adults with ADHD
In adult life, restlessness will shift shape but not cease. Instead of squirming in class in math, an adult might discover that they cannot sit through a long meeting without spinning a pen, shifting positions, or needing to stand up and stretch. Others channel this restlessness into constant productivity, juggling many projects at once or pursuing hobbies with gusto. Moreover, some will find that it comes out as a desire to move, a need to exercise, travel, or stir up routines when life starts to feel stale.
However, it’s important to note that restlessness often shapes the struggles adults with ADHD face. Issues like job dissatisfaction or impulsive decisions are much more common. Adults with ADHD tend to find success in action-oriented professions that remain engaging and offer opportunities for activity, such as teaching, health care, entrepreneurship, or the arts.
Restlessness in Children with ADHD
In children, restlessness will usually be most visible in school. A child might bounce their knee, tap their pencil, or have difficulty sitting still in class. While this is typically marked as disruptive, it’s important to remember that movement helps many children with ADHD regulate attention. Research has determined that exercise enhances concentration and working memory in children with ADHD. Fidgeting or squirming could be a child’s way of absorbing the information. That is, their restlessness is not a sign of defiance, but a way the brain keeps pace. The people who understand this can create spaces that work with, not against, a child’s energy. Flexible seating structures, short movement breaks, or simply allowing a child to draw during lessons can transform what was previously “misbehavior” into a tool of learning.
Breaking the Stigma and Fostering Resilience in Children
The real difficulty is all too often not the restlessness itself, but the stigma surrounding it. Too many children are raised being told that they’re “disruptive,” “hyper,” or “problematic,” and those labels can take hold. If children get constant reminders that their high energy is not acceptable, it can erode confidence and self-esteem.
Breaking that cycle is a function of reframing. Instead of focusing on what children can’t do because they’re fidgety, we can focus on what they can do because they’re so full of energy, such as coming up with creative solutions, being tenacious, or bringing enthusiasm to group projects. Teachers and parents who reframe fidgetiness as something of value in the making rather than something that’s wrong help children develop resilience.
Caption: Restlessness in ADHD kids is often seen as something that needs to be solved or cured.
Alt: A kid playing with a Pop-It fidget toy.
The Upside of Restlessness
To further prove that restlessness in ADHD is not always a bad thing, we compiled a list of positive traits associated with ADHD. These include:
1. Creativity and Innovation
Restlessness tends to engender curiosity. Children who are unable to explore, experiment, or pose “what if” endless hours become adults who think outside the box. Many inventors, artists, and businesspeople credit their restless nature as the drive that challenged them to continue experimenting until they found new solutions.
2. Adaptability
Because restlessness has a tendency to beget movement and change, individuals with ADHD can more easily adapt to new situations. Others may resist change, but the individual with ADHD might view it as an opportunity to do something different.
3. Energy and Stamina
Restlessness is typically followed by energetic levels. When directed into a passion or a meaningful project, this energy can make individuals achieve great things. A child who fully commits to a sport or an adult who focuses their energy on a startup is driven by restlessness.
Strategies for Channeling Restlessness
Accepting the advantage of restlessness does not mean ignoring the challenges. Left unchecked, it will throw everyday life into chaos. But done on purpose, restlessness can be a positive force. Here are some of the best strategies for channeling your restlessness:
- Fidget Tools: Small items like stress balls, ridged pens, or even discreet fidget rings offer something for the hands to play with without disrupting others.
- Structured Outlets: Physical activity from sports, dance, or high-energy hobbies serves as a healthful outlet for releasing energy. For adults, exercising before work or on breaks can assist in regulating restlessness.
- Task Variety: Breaking down tasks into small steps and alternating between them might challenge the brain. For children, this might mean alternating between reading and doing things with their hands.
- Mindfulness Practices: Approaches like deep breathing or guided meditation don’t eliminate restlessness, but they can be applied to deflect it in contexts where calmness is desired.
Shifting the Perspective
Perhaps the most dramatic change is how we speak of restlessness itself. Instead of simply defining it as a challenge, we can see it as a quality with attendant challenges and benefits. For children, explaining restlessness in ADHD is not always a bad thing; it means educating them that their necessity for fidgeting or movement isn’t “bad.” Instead, it’s simply the best way their brain operates. The same goes for adults. By changing how we talk about this, we can reduce stigma and encourage individuals with ADHD to embrace their natural rhythms rather than fight them.