Mental health isn’t something to be taken lightly. For me, struggling with bipolar disorder has been a roller coaster. The extreme highs and lows of my moods can be extremely challenging for me to handle, and it takes a lot of self care and acknowledgment to help me keep a level head.
It’s taken some time, but I’ve learned how to best manage the many mood swings that come hand in hand with bipolar disorder. Here are some things I do when I’m feeling overwhelmed:
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Prioritize sleep: When my sleeping schedule is all over the place, it can throw off my whole day. Working on developing consistent habits around bedtime helps me ensure I get enough rest each night.
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Identify what triggers your moods: Noticing how different situations affect my mental wellbeing helps me identify why my mood is changing and gives me an opportunity to take preemptive action when necessary.
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Avoid making decisions when you’re feeling low or high: Being mindful of the decisions I make when I’m experiencing a sudden drop or spike in my emotions helps prevent doing anything too impulsive that I regret later on down the line when my emotions stabilize again.
No matter what I’m feeling, acknowledging it and taking action instead of ignoring them are keys for me in staying balanced throughout the day.