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Neurodivergent Insights with Dr. Megan Anna Neff · January 30 · 25 min

Mindfulness on the Go: Why Stillness Backfires for Neurodivergent Minds

If mindfulness has ever made you feel foggy, sleepy, restless, or more activated, this episode is for you. In Part 2 of our conversation on Mindfulness and being Neurodivergent, Brett and Dr. Megan Anna Neff (creator of Neurodivergent Insights) explain why mindfulness can be uniquely challenging for neurodivergent people—especially ADHD—and how it often comes down to arousal dysregulation. For many ADHDers, being still can nudge the nervous system toward hypoarousal (foggy, checked out, shut down), and the body compensates by fidgeting, tapping, or seeking stimulation just to get back online. Then we get practical with Mindfulness on the Go—ways to build mindfulness that work with your nervous system: movement, music, walking, and tactile options, without pressure to do it perfectly. In this episode, we cover: Why stillness can backfire for ADHD and neurodivergent nervous systems What hypoarousal can look like in everyday life Why fidgeting can be regulation (not failure) “Mindfulness on the Go”: active approaches that actually work A simple tool for distance from thoughts: “I’m noticing I’m having the thought…” Want the foundation first? Part 1 is linked in the show notes. Links & resources: Add in your show notes (Part 1 link, website, newsletter, recommended resources): Things Might Go Terribly, Horribly Wrong: A Guide to Life Liberated From Anxiety: https://amzn.to/4qYJxffACT Made Simple: An Easy-to-Read Primer on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy: https://amzn.to/3NUTBYrPart 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZhVKn78ADENeurodivergentInsights.comNewsletter: https://newsletter.neurodivergentinsi...Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1LCaz1g...This video is not medical advice and is not to be considered therapy. 📩 Resources + weekly newsletter: https://newsletter.neurodivergentinsi... • 📚 Dr. Neff’s books: Self-Care for Autistic People: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1507221932?... • The Autistic Burnout Workbook: https://neurodivergentinsights.com/au... • Neurodivergent Insights: https://neurodivergentinsights.com • Trainings: https://neurodivergentinsights.com/tr... • Neurodivergent Insights Workbooks: https://neurodivergentinsights.com/wo... Spotify Q&A: When you try mindfulness, what happens most—calmer, foggier/sleepier, more restless, or more anxious?

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If mindfulness has ever made you feel foggy, sleepy, restless, or more activated, this episode is for you.


In Part 2 of our conversation on Mindfulness and being Neurodivergent, Brett and Dr. Megan Anna Neff (creator of Neurodivergent Insights) explain why mindfulness can be uniquely challenging for neurodivergent people—especially ADHD—and how it often comes down to arousal dysregulation.

For many ADHDers, being still can nudge the nervous system toward hypoarousal (foggy, checked out, shut down), and the body compensates by fidgeting, tapping, or seeking stimulation just to get back online.


Then we get practical with Mindfulness on the Go—ways to build mindfulness that work with your nervous system: movement, music, walking, and tactile options, without pressure to do it perfectly.

In this episode, we cover:

  • Why stillness can backfire for ADHD and neurodivergent nervous systems
  • What hypoarousal can look like in everyday life
  • Why fidgeting can be regulation (not failure)
  • “Mindfulness on the Go”: active approaches that actually work
  • A simple tool for distance from thoughts: “I’m noticing I’m having the thought…”

Want the foundation first? Part 1 is linked in the show notes.

Links & resources: Add in your show notes (Part 1 link, website, newsletter, recommended resources):

Things Might Go Terribly, Horribly Wrong: A Guide to Life Liberated From Anxiety: https://amzn.to/4qYJxffACT Made Simple: An Easy-to-Read Primer on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy: https://amzn.to/3NUTBYrPart 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZhVKn78ADENeurodivergentInsights.comNewsletter: https://newsletter.neurodivergentinsi...Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1LCaz1g...This video is not medical advice and is not to be considered therapy. 📩 Resources + weekly newsletter: https://newsletter.neurodivergentinsi... • 📚 Dr. Neff’s books: Self-Care for Autistic People: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1507221932?... • The Autistic Burnout Workbook: https://neurodivergentinsights.com/au... • Neurodivergent Insights: https://neurodivergentinsights.com • Trainings: https://neurodivergentinsights.com/tr... • Neurodivergent Insights Workbooks: https://neurodivergentinsights.com/wo...

Spotify Q&A: When you try mindfulness, what happens most—calmer, foggier/sleepier, more restless, or more anxious?

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