Probably a little bit of both.

Changing things in your life that are high stress is one thing. Learning to manage and cope with the symptoms is the other.

Working on a regular sleep pattern, healthy diet and exercise of some kind really really help.

Learning to live with bipolar is a long process. But it can be achieved. Sorry I don't have a lot if time right now. I'm on my way out the door. But this I a good place to learn.