"Hurry sickness" isn’t an ADHD-specific term. In fact, the phrase was coined back in 1974 by a cardiologist team writing about the damaging effects of a "Type A" personality on the heart. But the behavior pattern of constant rushing, and the feeling of chronic anxiety and overwhelm in response to expectations of productivity — that's something many adults with ADHD experience.

Abundant evidence has demonstrated that ADHD makes nighttime rest difficult to achieve. Less attention has focused on the challenge of achieving rest during waking hours, though a recent ADDitude poll found that 83% of readers struggle to relax their minds and bodies on nights, weekends, or vacations.

"Sitting in a beach chair on my patio trying to relax‚ I open a book. Five minutes later, I decide it’s not the right book for my mood. I go get another book and realize the plants need watering," recounts Hilary, an ADDitude reader. "I water half the plants and realize basil would be good in my dinner. I harvest the basil and bring it inside, where I do 60 more things. Then it’s time to call it a night and go back to work, and I realize I never relaxed."

[Read: How to Choose When Your ADHD Brain Is Bombarded with Options]

Readers pointed to racing thoughts as the main obstacle to achieving rest. Many attribute their feelings of guilt over their subpar productivity as the force that drives them to go-go-go, even when they know they’re just spinning their wheels.

But through trial and error, readers have developed tools to hack through the thorny thickets of racing thoughts, guilt, and hurry sickness to reach those precious open spaces of rest. Here’s how.

What Does Hurry Sickness Feel Like?

"My brain feels like all the lights in the house are on, and I can’t find the switches.” —Rod, Ireland

“As soon as I sit, I feel guilty, and then my mind starts ticking over what I could or should be doing. Weekends I spend trying to catch up, or zoning out and procrastinating, then feeling terrible and hating myself because I got nothing done and am even further behind.” — An ADDitude reader

“It feels like electricity running through my body, and a busy, buzzy brain. So much talking and thoughts.” — Ariel, Australia

[Self Test: Am I Burnt Out?]

“I want to relax, but that’s just not a possibility; I have to always be doing something. It feels like being in a race that never ends.” — Lynda, Oklahoma

"My brain is constantly on go, like I have 100 Google Chrome tabs open. It is extremely difficult for me to relax." —Jordan, Michigan

“I feel like I’m supposed to be doing something — that I’ve forgotten something or I’m wasting time. I always feel I’ve squandered my free time.” — Katie, Australia

“It feels like there is a tornado in my head. I can't stop thinking or worrying about the next hour, the next activity, how everyone else is doing. The best way to quiet my mind is to not be with too many people, not have too many activities scheduled.”— Nicole, California

“I am always on edge and have way too many thoughts flying around in my head. Rest and relaxation is a myth.” — An ADDitude reader

“I constantly feel as if there is something I have forgotten, something I am supposed to do, some expected level of productive behavior to maintain. I feel guilty for resting, but also guilty for not resting.” — Ella, Canada

“I like to be busy, and when I'm not, I struggle to rein in my 'washing machine' mind. The best way I find to quiet my mind is to engage in daily exercise.” — Lisa, Wales

“My brain is always thinking about what I forgot, or need to do, or worrying about events for the next day, pre-planning so I don't forget anything. I feel ‘lazy’ if I rest.” —Megan, Minnesota

What Helps Hurry Sickness?

“I'm often thinking about all the things I should be doing while trying to relax, which then makes it difficult to find rest when I need it. To help with the brain noise, I try to occupy multiple senses (i.e. sewing while listening to music to quiet my mind and busy my hands).” — Jazmyne, Washington

"My body needs pressure or my brain races.” — An ADDitude reader

“It feels like ants are crawling all over me and it's difficult to sit still. I started taking ADHD meds and that has helped quite a bit, as has doing yoga and going for walks. To help set the day, I follow a morning routine that includes a few minutes of breath work and meditation.” — An ADDitude reader

“I’m not good at doing nothing; I get bored and irritable. I like an activity to keep my brain busy: jigsaws, music or taking part in activities on holiday.”  —An ADDitude reader

“I enjoy working and doing, so it is hard to relax. I’m a people pleaser, and if I am with anyone, I focus somewhat on their needs. The most relaxing thing for me is to be alone, in nature, in the quiet.” — Marie, Louisiana

“I go outside and walk fast, to nowhere in particular. I just keep on moving, and after a little while, I start being mindful of what's around me. My mind calms, and my thoughts resolve themselves. Sometimes it’s a quick walk around the block, other days it can take an hour or more.” — Pat, England

“I do not vacation; I travel where the adventures have the best view. I'd much rather attempt to relax at home, where I maintain control of my environment, which is something you don't always have assurances of if you travel abroad.” — Timothy, Illinois

“I call it zjuzjy. Ghost podcasts are the only thing that really do it for me because they hold my attention.” — Ren, Austria

“I am able to quiet brain noise with music, reading, laying in the sun, and being around supportive people.” — Jordan, Michigan

“When I’m not at work, I’m always running myself into the ground with activities, chores, commitments. I finally realized I had to take time to slow myself down and allow my brain to ‘wander and ponder.’ The way I've managed this need is to create a couple of zen areas at home. My back porch has beautiful plants, fairy lights, and tapestries. I go and sit there for 10 minutes to an hour. It's my little haven that I look forward to and treat as a reward. I set a timer for a hard stop on my chores and other activities to give myself time to soak up the zen.” — Jaime, North Carolina