Hey, y’all –
Well, I hope everyone had a Happy Easter! We just went over Bill’s Mom’s house and had sandwiches and stuff, and everything was real easy-going. The real surprise was that his daughter showed up and even stayed, which was a real blessing for us (long story), and one for which I am very, very grateful. God is so very good to us, especially when we least expect it.
Which leads me to today’s topic. At least part of it.
I want to talk about balance and bipolar disorder.
And one of the ways you need to be balanced is spiritually. Now, I’m not saying you have to go out and find the nearest church building and bend down at the altar and start pouring out all your sins (sorry if I’ve offended anyone) or anything.
I’m just saying that however you do it, whatever you do to stay spiritually balanced, you need to do on a continual basis — you cannot neglect it, because it is as much a part of your health as exercising or eating right.
Whether you pray or meditate or read devotionals (inspirational readings) or just sit quietly beside a pond or a beach, you do whatever you have to, because it will help you to keep your stress levels down to a minimum and keep you spiritually fit (spiritually balanced).
You also need to be physically balanced. You don’t have to work out at a gym, although it’s ok if you do. Not all of us can, though, so just walking is a good alternative. Just 1/2 hr three times a week is enough.
Being physically balanced also means sticking to a healthy diet, so that you are taking care of your body.
I know my diet isn’t always the best, and I can’t always help it, so I make sure I take a really good vitamin and some supplements as well. The main thing to remember about this is that you take these IN ADDITION TO your bipolar medication and NOT INSTEAD OF your medication!
You need to be balanced mentally as well. Always keep learning as much as you can about your bipolar disorder. Even though you may have read about it in the beginning, they are coming out with new material all the time. New books, new stuff on the Internet, new research in the journals at the library, etc. Your doctor may even have some new material for you. Stay informed!
Another way for you to be balanced mentally is to always be meeting new challenges. Don’t just stagnate in your life. Look for new things to do. Don’t let your mind stay idle. Learn new things. Meet new people. Go new places!
We especially need to stay balanced emotionally because of the mood swings of our bipolar disorder, which can get out of control if we don’t watch them. This includes our stress levels. Try to keep them to a manageable level. Stay our of stressful situations, watch your triggers and, if need be, practice stress reduction exercises.
We need to balance our responsibilities as well.
Work or school, church, financial, home, family, children, professional, relationship, and even personal responsibilities all have to be balanced as well which, if you have a busy life can be real tricky sometimes!
If you don’t have balance in your life, maybe one sign or symptom can get by you for a bit, but then it’s one more and then a couple, and before you know it, you’re in a full-blown bipolar episode, and you never saw it coming!
Balance is one of the most important ingredients for bipolar stability.
What do you think?
Wishing you peace and stability,
Remember God loves you and so do I,
Michele
Hey, y’all –
Well, I hope everyone had a Happy Easter! We just went over Bill’s Mom’s house and had sandwiches and stuff, and everything was real easy-going. The real surprise was that his daughter showed up and even stayed, which was a real blessing for us (long story), and one for which I am very, very grateful. God is so very good to us, especially when we least expect it.
Which leads me to today’s topic. At least part of it.
I want to talk about balance and bipolar disorder.
And one of the ways you need to be balanced is spiritually. Now, I’m not saying you have to go out and find the nearest church building and bend down at the altar and start pouring out all your sins (sorry if I’ve offended anyone) or anything.
I’m just saying that however you do it, whatever you do to stay spiritually balanced, you need to do on a continual basis — you cannot neglect it, because it is as much a part of your health as exercising or eating right.
Whether you pray or meditate or read devotionals (inspirational readings) or just sit quietly beside a pond or a beach, you do whatever you have to, because it will help you to keep your stress levels down to a minimum and keep you spiritually fit (spiritually balanced).
You also need to be physically balanced. You don’t have to work out at a gym, although it’s ok if you do. Not all of us can, though, so just walking is a good alternative. Just 1/2 hr three times a week is enough.
Being physically balanced also means sticking to a healthy diet, so that you are taking care of your body.
I know my diet isn’t always the best, and I can’t always help it, so I make sure I take a really good vitamin and some supplements as well. The main thing to remember about this is that you take these IN ADDITION TO your bipolar medication and NOT INSTEAD OF your medication!
You need to be balanced mentally as well. Always keep learning as much as you can about your bipolar disorder. Even though you may have read about it in the beginning, they are coming out with new material all the time. New books, new stuff on the Internet, new research in the journals at the library, etc. Your doctor may even have some new material for you. Stay informed!
Another way for you to be balanced mentally is to always be meeting new challenges. Don’t just stagnate in your life. Look for new things to do. Don’t let your mind stay idle. Learn new things. Meet new people. Go new places!
We especially need to stay balanced emotionally because of the mood swings of our bipolar disorder, which can get out of control if we don’t watch them. This includes our stress levels. Try to keep them to a manageable level. Stay our of stressful situations, watch your triggers and, if need be, practice stress reduction exercises.
We need to balance our responsibilities as well.
Work or school, church, financial, home, family, children, professional, relationship, and even personal responsibilities all have to be balanced as well which, if you have a busy life can be real tricky sometimes!
If you don’t have balance in your life, maybe one sign or symptom can get by you for a bit, but then it’s one more and then a couple, and before you know it, you’re in a full-blown bipolar episode, and you never saw it coming!
Balance is one of the most important ingredients for bipolar stability.
What do you think?
Wishing you peace and stability,
Remember God loves you and so do I,
Michele