Bipolar and Stress

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I recognize the importance of a consistent routine for managing bipolar. I also know that maintaining my stability depends on having free time for spontaneity. The Necessity of Routine We hear it all the time: Routine is so important for people with bipolar! Keep a steady routine to combat your bipolar symptoms! Do things the...

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Stress can spark depressive episodes and bipolar disorder symptoms like obsessive thinking. I’d like to share a technique that helps me to overcome stress and its effects. If video is not showing, click here Obsessive Thinking & Bipolar I live with bipolar disorder, severe anxiety, panic attacks, and obsessive thoughts. Over many years of living with...

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Feeling overwhelmed by stress and anxiety? There are some practical strategies you can work into your daily life to find relief. Managing Stress with Bipolar Disorder Stress is a common trigger for bipolar mood episodes. To manage stress more effectively with bipolar disorder, I use certain techniques that have worked for me. #1 Exercise My...

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Unexpected changes, a booked schedule, and excess stress have brought on brain fog. In my efforts to curb anxiety and depression, I realize the importance of downtime. Job Stress & Mood Swings How would you like having to choose between your bladder and your blood sugar every Monday through Friday? I had often heard that...

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Self-care doesn’t have to be self-indulgent. (But it can be!) It’s also about taking time to invest in your own well-being. And sometimes that means saying “no.” Understanding the Core of Self-Care I have learned many “do’s and don’ts” for living with this mental health condition, ever since my diagnosis of bipolar I disorder over...

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I used to fear my creative side, associating it with mania. To my surprise, stand-up comedy has become a must-have outlet for maintaining my mood stability. Performing Stand-Up Releases Tension Everyone has heard of “writer’s block.” Writers know the misery of it. Absolute writer’s block is when you don’t even know you have writer’s block—when...

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One night, our own thoughts get in the way of restorative rest. The next, it’s our partner’s snoring. Here’s how to mitigate several common sleep saboteurs. It’s no secret that steady sleep and stable moods go hand in hand when it comes to managing bipolar disorder. Whether it’s chronic insomnia, a sudden circadian disruption, or...

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I started college early and pursued multiple degrees in different fields over many years. Navigating it all with bipolar meant overcoming tricky issues of disclosure, accommodation, and managing expectations and emotions. Seeking Dual Enrollment for Higher Education Once the summer of 1987 was over, I went to school on the first day of my senior...

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Convinced I had the “perfect” work/life balance, I dismissed red flags of excess stress. My symptoms built up until I finally realized that bipolar is only truly invisible when we’re ignoring it. The Itch I was sitting in front of my computer in my home office, cranking out a poster design for a movie set,...

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Sometimes our choices and actions don’t align with our conscious intentions, especially when it comes to self-improvement. Here’s how to put an end to habitual self-sabotage. Often, we know what is best for us, we just have a hard time either starting to make a change or sticking to it when the symptoms of bipolar...

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Recent stressful events and personal losses required a review of how I cope under pressure. I gained a greater perspective on what works—and what doesn’t—managing stress and bipolar. My Stress Overload As of late, people across the world have individually and collectively suffered and struggled amid the world health crisis—and continue to do so. Narrowing...

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Do you have a dream but think your bipolar disorder will make achieving it impossible? Think again. Here’s how I went from stage fright to center stage. The Courage to Learn In 2015, I was terrified of public speaking. In January 2021, I stepped onto a prestigious TEDx stage and shared my story, “Having a...

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Of all the mood states of bipolar, irritability really drags me down. I work hard to escape its clutches before it morphs into intense anger and overwhelm. In my everyday life, I am usually happy and feel that life is pretty good, all things considered. Each of us experiences a variety of moods and feelings,...

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Life has felt like a stress marathon. But by consciously investing in my well-being to keep my mood stable, I plan to cross that finish line. Feeling Helpless in Times of Uncertainty By 2021, the world crisis had already worn my nerves thin. I’d been bombarded by negative news for so long, it seemed like...

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Chaos and stress can trigger an urge to control my environment. When that led to irritable mania, I had to question my perfectionism and learn to let go. Stepping Up Self-Care Until Stress & Anxiety Take a Toll For most of the year, I had handled the world health crisis like a champ. I practiced...

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To stay on track with wellness and boost my mood, I stay away from damaging negative self-talk and have positive conversations with myself instead. If you see me walking, driving, or even just standing around, you may notice that I’m talking to myself. This practice might seem peculiar, but I assure you that it has...

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With bipolar disorder, we’re more likely to become overdependent on our digital devices. Here’s how personal tech can affect our moods—plus tips for self-protection. Are we too attached to our digital devices? That question has been debated for almost as long as the iPhone has been around, giving rise to the first National Day of...

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It won’t be hard to say goodbye to 2020, given all the challenges it brought. But New Year’s Eve itself might be difficult, especially if—like me—you are single and anticipating an emotionally charged time with potential mood swings. That’s why I am planning ahead for what to do—I want to ring in the new year...

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Are you consuming too much negative news and social media at night? Your lack of restorative sleep, mood triggers, and ramped up anxiety are good reasons to take back control! This year, I feel as if, collectively, we are glued to our screens even more than usual. From Zoom calls to social media scrolling, many of...

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For me, the holidays usually bring not only traditions and gatherings but also stress and strong triggers. Difficult memories arise as the season changes and the holidays are upon us. In the years since my bipolar diagnosis and sobriety, I’ve learned how to navigate these months and maintain a stable mood. Holidays & Memories—for Better...