I think in the beginning of recovering from an episode it's good to actively engage in things that help. But as in all things, moderation is the key. You threw yourself into a LOT of different things. I'd have had a hard time keeping up with more than 2

Perhaps pick a couple of things that you really enjoy, yoga sounds like a pretty good choice since it is both relaxing and healthy exercise for your body. If you like to journal, great, if it's a chore, I say drop it. I like to write so journaling is a fun thing for me. And it gets thoughts out of my head...but I don't do it every day unless something is bothering me and I"m trying to work something out.

The things you wrote that you'd like to be doing instead of all that 'self help' stuff...is really self help stuff too, because you enjoy it. cooking, reading, relaxing, visiting with friends...those are all important things too. Don't stop living life because you are wholly engaged in trying to prevent relapses.

I used to be a part of support groups and was a facilitator for several years but had to quit because it had become unhealthy for me and a source of major anxiety. So if your support group is great, I'd stick with that but again, if it's a chore and you find yourself not wanting to engage with all those folks, then don't go. The group I was a part of was great when it was small, under 8 people...it started to grow to unmanageable proportions of people (18 one night) who were doing very badly because they were either 1)not taking medicines as they should or 2) not doing therapy outside...we were peers and not equipped to handle that.

Anyway, topic for a different discussion right?

Just do what you think you can handle and leave the rest. I think recovery is an ongoing process as we are never 'cured'...but we can try to manage things. If you are anything like me, I just can't manage a lot of different activities or my anxiety will get the better of me.

Oh. and How I feel about my bp? I was diagnosed late in life...although I think a part of me changed because of the illness and the medicines...the part of me that was before that is still there. I am still the person I was all those years before. So, it's a part of me now, but it is not who I am nor is it a focus of my daily life. I honestly am able to wake these days and not do that 'scan' thing to see what my mood is going to be for the day. I just get up and go. Maybe that's just cause I don't have time to do that in the morning as I have stereo dog tongues in my ears trying to get me up to walk them so they can go potty lol

I wish you the best!