I have developed what I call my bipolar toolbox, which is a list of activities that I find effective in treating shifts in mood. Sounds like you may have some activities in mind to help with mood shifts as well. Treating bipolar moods is sometimes a full time responsibility, but in my experience it is worth the time and effort. My hypomanic episodes are typically followed by a crash, and then I struggle to get out of depression and balance myself again. I find that when I notice the symptoms of either hypomania or depression I look at my toolbox, which I have actually written down in a convenient place, and I pick one or two that I think I am capable of doing. That usually balances my mood again.

I think that in order to know if it is hypomania or not takes educating oneself on the different aspects of bipolar disorder. And, sometimes it takes experiencing the hypomania and saying "Yep, this was hypomania". I think that knowing your hypomanic symptoms can trigger a response in which you treat the illness first. It takes practice and a desire to be balanced, but again I think the result is worth the effort.