Bipolar Recovery: Reconstructing A Balanced Lifestyle
When your bipolar disorder is stable, that's the time to set up a plan for a balanced lifestyle. Learn what that entails.
Health/Physical
Illness
- become well-informed about bipolar disorder
- have adequate medical, psychological follow-up
- do not stop bipolar medication without consultation
- recognize early signs of mania and depression and get help immediately, adjusting bipolar medication can prevent some relapses
Exercise
- exercise regularly. For the more enthusiastic, swimming, biking, hiking, otherwise, even walking is beneficial
Diet
- become informed about nutrition
- eat a well-balanced diet
Self-Care
- attend to grooming needs
- treat oneself to a new look, haircut, clothes
Family
- give emotional support to family by listening, by acknowledging positive actions, by encouraging
- seek emotional support from family
- participate in activities alone, with spouse, together with family, with extended family
- re: illness, decide mutually, steps to be taken if one becomes ill again and refuses treatment. Such planning can do much in preventing misunderstandings and in minimizing stress later on
Financial/Work
- consider a savings plan for money to be used during a relapse when there is often financial stress
- if over-spending during illness is a problem, consider:
- discarding credit cards
- having spouse, public trustee, temporarily in charge of finances
- set goals at workplace
- if unemployed:
- take steps to get a job
- take a course
- do volunteer work
- attend a day program
- set goals/priorities for home projects
Community/Social
- maintain or develop social ties. Social ties provide stimulation, emotional support and a source of meaning in one's life. They are so important that even the perception of having social ties is a crucial factor in increasing one's ability to cope with stress.
- attend a community recreational centre
- consider volunteer work in worthwhile causes
- consider joining a manic-depressive support group, a social group, a religious organization
- if there are difficulties relating to people, consider therapy
Intellectual/Personal Development
- develop an interest and pursue it, e.g. reading books, newspapers, writing, archery, canoeing, gourmet cooking
- looking for ideas in local newspapers, flyers, university continuing education courses
Spiritual
- take time to do nothing - meditate, ponder
- some people find walks in nature or reading inspirational writings, spiritual
- others like to address spiritual needs through communal worship, religion
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APA Reference
Staff, H.
(2008, November 18). Bipolar Recovery: Reconstructing A Balanced Lifestyle, HealthyPlace. Retrieved
on 2024, November 2 from https://www.healthyplace.com/bipolar-disorder/articles/bipolar-recovery-reconstructing-a-balanced-lifestyle
Last Updated: May 16, 2013