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Jun 03, 2011, 04:53 PM
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Member Since: Mar 2010
Posts: 2,629
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I n Bipolar Disorder For Dummies and on this blog, we have recommended numerous lifestyle and environmental changes someone can take to feel better with bipolar disorder. Readers have contributed some of their own ideas and suggestions to keep the conversation going.
While nutritional changes, mindfulness, exercise, and other such interventions don’t treat bipolar disorder, these can be important tools for making you feel better overall. Sometimes, these interventions can even reduce symptoms; for example, mindfulness can be helpful in the treatment of depression and anxiety, while exercise can boost moods.
We thought it might be interesting and fun to try something together. Making lifestyle and environmental changes is hard, so it’s usually best to make small, manageable changes – something you can do and succeed at, so you gain a sense of mastery and the encouragement to try more new things.
Today’s challenge (or whichever day you choose to start) is to make one change in your diet and one change in your activity level for one week and then come back and post how you feel at the end of the week. Below are some ideas to get you started, but feel free to pursue your own idea or post suggestions for other changes in either category.
Nutrition
Cut down caffeine intake by half
Smoke half as many cigarettes
Eat two more servings of vegetables and/or fruit every day
Make one meal meatless
Limit fried food to twice a week
Cut soda intake in half – or switch to water or diet drinks
Activity
Walk around your block/neighborhood for ten minutes – at a brisk pace
Take the stairs all or part of the way instead of the elevator
Walk or bike to run a short errand instead of taking the car
Park far away from the store and walk briskly to the store
Upon awakening, do two or three full body stretches and take three slow deep breaths – repeat before bed
Do 5 to 10 sit-ups a day
Do 10 or 20 jumping jacks once or twice a day
While watching TV, use hand weights or canned food and raise them up and down over your head five or ten times OR do bicep curls, bending your arm while holding the weight 5 to 10 times
If you already exercise regularly, add 5 minutes to each workout
Play a dance video game with your kids or friends or partner
Take your dog for a walk instead of just letting him or her out
So you want to do it?
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Blessings..Sue
Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.
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