How Hand Mudras Became My Unexpected ADHD Coping Tool

My exploration into energy healing began with Reiki, which then led me to the concept of balancing my chakras, and eventually, I discovered hand mudras. Surprisingly, mudras have become a vital tool for managing my ADHD.

Let me start by explaining a bit about how this all came together. Reiki, a form of energy healing originating in Japan, uses hands to channel universal energy into the body. This process helped me tap into the deeper connection between my energy flow and physical well-being. From there, I was introduced to the idea of chakras—energy centres within the body—and began working on balancing them. Eventually, I came across hand mudras, which are specific hand gestures believed to influence the flow of energy in the body, similar to how acupuncture points work.

Mudras have an ancient history dating back over 4,000 years, primarily rooted in Hinduism and Buddhism. In yoga, mudras are combined with breathwork and meditation to help balance energy (prana) in the body. The word 'mudra' itself comes from Sanskrit, meaning 'seal' or 'gesture,' signifying the way these hand positions can 'seal' in energy, promoting physical, emotional, and spiritual healing. Beyond their religious and spiritual uses, mudras have been incorporated into modern practices to assist with a variety of health concerns and mindfulness techniques.

There are over 100 known mudras, each one associated with a different type of healing or energy balancing. For instance:

• Gyan Mudra (the mudra of knowledge) is used to enhance concentration, creativity, and wisdom. This mudra is commonly seen in meditation practices and is believed to promote calmness and mental clarity.

• Prana Mudra (the mudra of life) helps to awaken and stabilise the life force energy within us. It’s often used to reduce fatigue and increase vitality.

• Apana Mudra (the mudra of purification) aids in the body’s cleansing process and is said to be helpful for digestion and detoxification.

• Vayu Mudra is known to calm the nervous system and relieve anxiety, which makes it particularly useful for those who, like me, have ADHD or restless energy.

These gestures aren't just symbolic; science suggests that mudras stimulate pressure points in the hands, sending signals to the brain and nervous system. This process can help regulate everything from heart rate to hormone production, making mudras a natural way to influence physical and mental health.

For me, as an ADHD night-time snacker, I struggle with sitting still after dinner. The kitchen is too close, and it's all too easy to grab a piece of chocolate or a snack while watching TV. For me, it's about movement; I’m always up and down, wandering between bites. My ADHD brain thrives on doing multiple things at once—whether it’s TV and food, TV and my phone, or TV and art. If I’m not actively occupied, my mind starts racing. I revisit old conversations, stress over things I said or didn’t say, and overthink endlessly, even when using THC for pain relief. It’s a never-ending cycle of overanalysis, much like many ADHD brains.

In an effort to find something productive to do with my hands, I bought a deck of Mudra cards—partly out of curiosity and partly for research. Initially, I thought pulling a random mudra card and using it seemed a little far-fetched. How could a simple hand gesture help me? But, to my surprise, it worked. Similar to my other divination cards like tarot and oracle decks, I found that I was intuitively drawn to the exact mudra I needed at that moment. On days when I doubted it, I would reshuffle the deck and, lo and behold, draw the same card again. Energy has a funny way of guiding us to what we need.

These mudras didn’t just help me emotionally and mentally; they gave my restless hands something to do. When I started incorporating them into my routine, I found myself snacking less, which was an unexpected benefit. I even used mudras during a performance where I’d typically fidget and squirm. Holding a mudra helped keep my hands busy and offered me a sense of calm.

The key to incorporating mudras is to challenge yourself to hold the gesture for a set period—start with five minutes and build from there. Soon, you’ll find yourself using them anytime your hands are "lost." Many successful people, including some famous billionaires, swear by hand mudras for focus and energy alignment.

After holding a mudra for just a few minutes, I began feeling a tingling sensation in my fingers. It was like connecting an energetic circuit, allowing the flow to continue. I’m not sure if my Reiki training enhanced this sensation, but I was thrilled to have a tangible experience confirming that something was happening.

Of course, I don’t have all the mudras memorised, but I have a few go-tos, like the "Money Mudra"—and who doesn’t want to attract more abundance? Most nights, I shuffle my Mudra deck, pull out a card, and see what I need to focus on. If time allows, I’ll do a couple of mudras.

Mudras aren’t just for spiritual seekers—they can be helpful for anyone. I’ve even started to wonder if mudras could help people with other habits, like quitting smoking. Any bad habit that keeps the hands busy might be positively influenced by using mudras. It’s a healthy, (Cheap) mindful way to channel restless energy and bring balance to both mind and body.

For me, mudras have become more than just a spiritual practice—they are now a daily tool for managing my ADHD, stress, and overall well-being. (Just by putting my hands in a pose while I watch TV!) If you’re someone who fidgets or struggles to calm your mind, I encourage you to give them a try. You might just find they make a world of difference. If you want to try mudras for yourself, these are the hand mudra cards I recommend to get started! 'Mudras of Indian Yoga: 72 Hand Gestures for Healing and Spiritual Growth: (70 colour cards plus booklet)' Note you don't have to do Yoga, just the hand gesture! -Ang x