This Surprising Habit Can Make You More Productive at Home
What’s the first thing you do when you arrive home? A common ritual is to take off your shoes, get into comfortable clothes, and sit on the couch to watch a favorite TV show. It’s little moments like these that can provide comfort after a long day.
But what if there were benefits to switching up this routine? According to news.com.au, while many homes have a “no shoes” rule, wearing shoes indoors may have a positive impact on people with ADHD and those looking to become more productive.
It may sound unusual, but something as simple as wearing shoes indoors could help you shift into an action-oriented mindset. Read ahead to discover how this creative hack may help you get things done, one step at a time.
What Are House Shoes?
People on social media have shared their positive experiences with this simple productivity hack. The trend involves people putting on a pair of designated “house shoes” to signal that it’s time to get things done, HuffPost reports.
@emmaquinlyn Another #adhd hack for my brain as a #workingmom with #inattentiveadhd – I’ve talked about this before and it truly does help me get into a different frame of mind. If you get the ick from outside shoes maybe treat yourself to a special pair of house shoes you only wear for work? #mentalhealth #adhdhacks ♬ Once Upon a Time – Austin Farwell
Brighid Gannon, a psychiatric nurse practitioner and co-founder of Lavender, an online psychiatry practice, tells HuffPost that certain physical cues can influence your state of mind. “I could absolutely see when you take your shoes off, you go into rest mode,” Gannon says.
Helping People With ADHD and Beyond
For people with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), staying motivated and following through can be difficult. Those with the disorder may have a challenging time completing tasks, a hurdle known as “task paralysis.”
“You want to start a task ― your brain could be screaming at you, ‘get up and do the task,’ but some invisible, unseen barrier is preventing it,” says Andrew Robinson, a licensed clinical social worker and ADHD-certified clinical services provider.
Putting on a pair of house shoes may help overcome this challenge by creating a mental connection between wearing shoes and getting things done. The cue could make starting a task feel easier.
@alanamacintosh adhd life hack!! #adhd #fyp ♬ original sound – alana m
How to Get Started
The practice may also benefit people who don’t have ADHD. But what steps can you take to get started? First, pick a simple chore to do in your house shoes. “Maybe start with doing the dishes. Maybe start with wiping off the windows or the counters,” Robinson suggests. Make sure you’re only wearing the shoes while performing the task. “As soon as you’re done with that task, take off those shoes,” he adds.
The practice may not work equally well for everyone, news.com.au explains. “For some, wearing shoes inside can feel uncomfortable, restrictive or even distracting,” Joanna Bailey, a clinical psychologist and the director of Bluebird Psychology, tells news.com.au. “For others, it can be grounding and empowering.” Some people may find indoor shoes motivating, while others may feel more comfortable wearing slippers or socks, or going barefoot.
When it comes to exploring this hack, the key is to find what works for you. That might mean slipping into a pair of house shoes or discovering other ways to stay motivated and check off your to-do list. Ultimately, even small changes to your daily routine could make a difference.
