How well is your bipolar controlled right now? What "percentage" would you say it is?

Could I ask others to clarify what is meant when indicating lifestyle? I can understand stress and certainly medication. I'm finding both are a bit out of control right now for me. What influences have you had over lifestyle?

I go to bed at the same time every night regardless of how I feel. Even if I don't sleep I go to bed. I get up in the morning don't take naps. Eat regularly. On nice days get outside. Avoid excessive news or really anything in excess. I try to live in the moment and let go of strong emotions as they are catnip for me. I try to live with the Desiderata as my guidelines. It starts Go placidly.....and ends with....Strive to be happy. I change the ending to strive to be content. It is more achievable. Wish I could post things I'd post the desiderata it's been a huge influence in my life.

I like the Desiderata...

In my case, I guess what some people would call 'self care.'

I exercise every day.

I have a somewhat stressful job, but it's also a beloved vocation and I'm only working part-time now. The fact that I can do this is a huge privilege, but it has helped with my stress levels *significantly*.

I'm an introvert, but I also badly need interaction with others. Especially now that I'm working from home because of COVID. So I keep in close touch every day with my closest friend and Face Time when I can (she doesn't like FT that much). I really only have one other friend, but I keep in touch with her, though nothing like as with my closest friend. I also go to see my brother and his wife occasionally. I often don't get along with my brother, so we'll see how long this lasts... (though I've been working on it in therapy).

I do puzzles (only since quarantine). Since working from home, I've noticed that I tend to start feeling lonely at around 6pm and that's when I'll work on and off on a puzzle. I'm actually not very good at it, so I'm sticking to easier ones until I develop some better skills.

And I'm in therapy. She's definitely part of my 'self care.' Very helpful.

That's all I can think of right now. If I think of something else that might be helpful, I'll let you know.

Thanks for the reminder of the Desiderata!

Desiderata

GO PLACIDLY amid the noise and the haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons.

Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexatious to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter, for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.

Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment, it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth.

Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here.

And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be.

And whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul. With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

[I am not sure about "the universe is unfolding as it should." In these times, I consider things are unfolding as they are.]

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When I can keep a daily schedule of particularly going to bed, it has been very helpful.. The problem is that I have failed many times because I have drifted too much with lunch time (sometimes 4 PM), and this has shifted everything, including bedtime. Last week I again started trying to keep a set schedule. This time my focus is on keeping a set time of when I start cooking lunch (11-11:30). Before, I was trying to schedule when I eat lunch, but that depends on when I start cooking it. I hadn't figured that out before

So far, so good.

Thanks Rick for posting that. I think it's a great and compassionate set of guidelines.

For the most part, my bipolar stays pretty well controlled but right now I’d only say about 25%. I’ve been really manic for the past month or two and now seem to have fallen into a pretty ugly depression.