What is a Pomodoro and How Can it Help with ADHD?

Hello Brains! This is our definitions series, which defines common terms used in the ADHD community. This month -- pomodoro!

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[omallbm]

I’ve literally just started using this for studying in vet school. It is so helpful because I can tell my brain we can do the distracting thing once the timer goes off!

[Lia-vexk]

I tend to find it easier to start with a break than to start with work. If I know starting a pomodoro means I have to work now, I will just procrastinate on starting the pomodoro. Starting with a break means I won't procrastinate because why would anyone NOT like to take a break? But once the 5-10 minutes are over, I know I have to start right now, because my break is over and also there is that annoying alarm and I am only allowed to turn it off once I start working :D

[tanyabrayer]

I'm definitely a "start one to get into a flow state then ignore the timer when it goes off" kind of girl.

[salo]

"You leave them alone" ... I feel personally attacked, I'm struggling with boundaries with my flatmate/best friend so I definitely have interrupted her during a pomodoro in the past...

[Galactic_Centre]

Confession time: I didn't watch this video at first for fear of feeling ashamed; I tried 'regular' 20 minute pomodoros, and failed. Finding out lots of brains adapt the system and you can do 10 minute pomodoros was a revelation! Thank you so much!

[kai-ryanmccall]

We love and appreciate you, Jessica 💚💚💚

[historiansrevolt]

Yet another technique I've used without having a name for it. I wouldn't have gotten through school without it. Need to bring it back for work from home focusing.

[thateuphonium]

"what is a Pomodoro?"

me: TOMATO

[katselesnya]

I time my pomodoros with music for tasks like cleaning or dishes. "I'll work on this until I've listened to X number of songs" is a great way to get myself going, and then when the break comes I can either stop or keep going if my mood says keep going.

[sarahrobargemassagetherapy]

Thank you so much for adding in the "Reverse Pomodoro" technique. There are certain tasks that I find nearly impossible to start or focus on but are really important. The hardest ones are usually things I do for self-care, like meditating or journal writing. My Reverse Pomodoros can look like working for 3-5 minutes and taking long 20-30 minute breaks. When looking on message boards, I felt incredibly inferior to Brains able to focus for much longer. I really felt like such a loser, even though these Reverse Pomodoros worked for me. Thank you so much for letting me know my system, which works for me, is just as valid. I have tears in my eyes thinking I'm the least worthy Brain in the bunch.

[therockmannorl]

The 'reverse' Pomodoro was so important to hear. I've been put off of doing pomodoros because sometimes more work time than break time just makes me anxious and angry. Hearing that it's ok to take a longer time on a break than work is great and I really appreciate 'getting permission' to do it! Thank you Jessica! <3

[erinjohnson]

Turns out I've been using this technique to keep my house clean - 15 minutes a day. Doesn't matter the room, as long as it is cleaning only! This has really helped to keep clutter down and doesn't feel like a big deal.

[stephy]

I love how this popped up whilst preparing for my last exam of the semester and I just HAD to click immediately 😂
I never take a lot of breaks from studying, just when there is something I truly need to do, like tutoring or going to work or use the restroom or something. It does make me feel a little burned out after a while, which makes it harder to start, but experience has taught me that once I take a break I tend to forget that I wasn't finished. So now I continue until I'm actually done for the day, or as it turns out until a How to ADHD video pops up 😅

[deluxturtle]

I had no idea I was supposed to write down the ideas that pop in my head. nobody told me that!

[ptw]

I watch your videos instead of what I need to get done.

[mksisters]

I clicked sooo fast lol
Edit: Your awwweeesome! I love your channel because it makes me feel like I'm not alone in this world.

[coena]

I’ve never found these to work too well for me. I have trouble taking short breaks than restarting with something I don’t want to do, interrupts my flow. Sometimes I find it easier to plow through 2 hours of homework without break than walk away for the day, other times it’ll be 1 hour intervals with breaks of “whenever I feel ready to start again” (sometimes 20 min, sometimes 6 hours) in between. I usually do other stuff during those “breaks”. If I’m hyper focused and want to make sure I don’t neglect self care, I’ll set two timers, usually about 20 minutes apart. The first tells me to start wrapping up whatever I’m doing, the second tells me I have to stop, I usually can find a good stopping point between the two.

[hermesial]

i didnt know there was a real name for this! my friends and i call them "sprints, " actually. we use it a lot for writing, especially first drafts, and at the end of the sprint we compare word counts to see who got the most done. a pomodoro + a competitive spirit = essays, chapters, and notes getting written a lot faster, haha

[abbskebabs]

Hahahah I literally searched "pomodoro technique" on YouTube as I got the notification for this.

[evanhuntley]

I struggle with finding things to fill my breaks that aren’t rabbit holes leading me away from working (like my phone)...