90 To Nothing
Are you not sleeping or eating much, incredibly energetic and having racing thoughts? If you are bipolar, you may be having a maniac episode. Sounds great, doesn’t it? Sometimes it does feel good, sometimes it doesn’t. If you are engaging in dangerous activities or irritable, mania is unpleasant.
Taking your medications helps relieve the symptoms but doesn’t get rid of them. Manic episodes can make you feel like you are cured. You may think you don’t need your medications anymore. Nothing could be further from the truth. After the mania, you can plunge into a deep depression. These ups and downs can bring on anxiety. Not knowing whether you are coming or going is scary.
You can make the most out of a manic episode and combat the possibility of depression and anxiety by utilizing these simple suggestions. Maniac episodes bring out your creative side. I did my best writing at 3 in the morning during a maniac episode. You may not want to do that though. You don’t have to be an artist to draw, paint or color. Doing these activities can feed your creative side and produce something to uplift your mood when needed.
During maniac episodes you can get a lot done. Indulge in your hobbies. If you don’t have one, pick something. Learning something new is exciting. When your mind is busy working on a project, you feed your racing thoughts by working on the task at hand. Try to finish your project before starting another one. Now the racing thoughts are controllable.
To make the most out of your increased energy, go to the gym, take a walk or workout at home. This may be a good time to go hiking, swimming or bike riding. Now your energy is controllable. No need to engage in dangerous activities.
Go to your favorite restaurant or cook your favorite dish. This will help you want to eat. An outing can also curb your energy levels. Schedule a sleep routine. Take a nice relaxing bath, put on your favorite pj’s and place calming scents around you. You can do that by spraying your bedding with essential oils or febreze. You can also put a couple of drops of essential oil on a cotton ball and place it by your bed if you don’t want to spray your sheets and pillows. Doing this can calm you and get your mind and body ready to sleep. Lavender and vanilla are a couple of scents that produce that calming effect. Although, you may not like these scents, try different ones until you find a favorite.
When your symptoms are controllable, you can enjoy your life despite the mania. Plus, having a finished project to enjoy and a feeling of accomplishment, you can keep your depression and anxiety at bay. Being bipolar doesn’t have to be unpleasant. Managing your ups and downs using these tips can bring joy to replace the sadness, anxiety or mania. Don’t be discouraged, this to shall pass. Remember, you are NOT your feelings. Always remember to take care of yourself.
