[Desafinado]

I was diagnosed in 2007, and at the time really should have listened to my parents. Here are the quick, simple things I learned over the years to better deal with the disorder:

- reduce caffeine intake as much as you can
- regular, routine sleep
- reduce alcohol intake
- no drugs
- regular exercise
- tirelessly adjust your meds until they work perfectly
- be weary of doctors 'over-prescribing' meds
- let people in your life know when you're feeling 'off', they're not mind readers
- know your social boundaries and limits, if you need rest, take it
- sedative teas are your friend (lavender, mint, chamomile etc).

These are a few things that I had to learn the hard way over the years, but now that I've been following these rules, things are smooth sailing.

What other tips do you have?

[gayleggg]

That's very helpful advice. I try and do all those things, except I haven't been exercising, even though I know I need to.

I would add that deep breathing exercises help in calming the mind and body.
And meditation.

[memson]

I do most of these although I struggle with the caffeine; I LOVE my coffee. However, by keeping the rest under control I feel that like you, I'm on the path to finding some stability. I'm also with you Gayle, meditation, yoga, and deep breathing, all contribute to my well being too.

[Moogieotter]

A good quick guide! Thanks!

[BlackSheep79]

I try to keep everything structured as well. I go to sleep and wake up at the same time, same taking my meds at the same times. I believe we all need a stress reliever. My escape is playing the piano, the world just disappears for me temporarily. I really need to work on the whole exercise thing.

i deffenetly don't struggle with tea,

mint tea is my best friend... i've loved it since a young age

something else is only do what you can handle.

write a list of things that need urgent attention, and then another one of things that need doing- and do them with the most important first

[Desafinado]

Originally Posted by memson

I do most of these although I struggle with the caffeine; I LOVE my coffee. However, by keeping the rest under control I feel that like you, I'm on the path to finding some stability. I'm also with you Gayle, meditation, yoga, and deep breathing, all contribute to my well being too.

I do too, and I was drinking *good* coffee for a long time (think fresh roasted / ground).

I still drink coffee, but in the past few weeks I made my daily, morning drink black tea. The main motivation behind it was that I just started a post-grad job and wanted a clear head while living the cube life, so that lit a fire under my *** to make a change.

I don't think I could stop drinking coffee altogether, though, so I still get the odd one when I'm out. Who knows, though, maybe some day it'll be nixed completely.

[~Christina]

Very good list , I have a huge tool box of coping skills for mentally and physically staying healthy.

The only thing I would add is ...... Bipolar folks really need to have a sense of humor.. The extremes and BS that Bipolar puts a person through needs to get laughed at sometimes.