Sometimes the most useful tips are the ones that seem almost too simple. This one came from a rigorous university study — and the results were more significant than you might expect.
A study from Swinburne University of Technology examined the effects of chewing gum on cognitive performance and anxiety. What they found was striking: chewing sugar-free gum reduced anxiety by more than 17% during stressful situations, and also increased alertness and improved performance during multi-tasking.
Professor Andrew Scholey, the lead researcher, noted a relationship between increased alertness and a more relaxed state — and suggested that chewing gum may be associated with positive, calming social behaviours.
"Small things, done consistently, add up. The goal is to build a collection of accessible tools that work for you — not one perfect solution."
For people with ADHD, anything that improves sustained attention and reduces anxiety during cognitively demanding tasks is worth knowing about. Chewing gum appears to work through several mechanisms: rhythmic jaw movement has a calming effect on the nervous system, and the mild physical activity may help channel restless energy in a way that supports focus.
We are not suggesting everyone should start chewing gum constantly. But in appropriate circumstances — during a stressful meeting, while working through a difficult task, during an anxiety-provoking situation — it may be a simple, accessible tool worth having in your toolkit.
If you prefer to avoid artificial sweeteners or flavourings, natural gum options are available. Gum with fennel seeds, for example, has been found in some studies to increase nitric oxide in the body — which supports blood vessel dilation, lower blood pressure, and improved circulation. A small thing, but a genuine one.
The point of sharing research like this is not to present a miracle solution — it is to illustrate that recovery from anxiety and ADHD involves accumulating many small advantages. No single technique transforms everything. But a breathing practice, plus regular exercise, plus better sleep, plus a CBT habit, plus small accessible tools like this — together they build something significant.