In this article, I want to talk to both people with bipolar disorder and the people who support them.  Whether you are a bipolar supporter or survivor you have to watch your stress levels.

For the person with bipolar disorder, stress can become a trigger that leads to a bipolar episode.

AND it’s VERY unhealthy to have too much stress in your life.

 For the supporter of a loved one with bipolar disorder, you don’t have to worry about going into a bipolar episode, but you do have to worry about stress destroying your overall physical and emotional health.

Unfortunately, when you are supporting someone with bipolar disorder, you can tend to let your stress get out of control.  And if you don't take care ofyourself first, you won't be able to take care of your loved one.There are some good ways to reduce the stress in your life, whether you have bipolar disorder, or are supporting someone who does.

Here are some good stress prevention or reduction techniques:

1.      Buy or borrow a book on how to reduce stress.  This may sound strange, but they have entire books devoted to this serious problem.

2.      Just breathe. This sounds too simple to work, I know.  But breathing in and out slowly reduces stress and besides, it’s free.

3.      Laugh and smile. Talk to people who are goofy. Go look at funny things. Watch funny TV shows. Do something to laugh.  It's been proven that humor has healthy qualities to it, and can reduce a person's stress.

4.      Focus on the positive and only glance at the negative.  This is one of the things I talk about in my courses and systems.

5.      Having a positive attitude is so very important to de-stressing your life, or at least bringing your problems down to a manageable level.

My friend has a saying that she keeps taped to her computer that she looks at whenever she gets stressed.

It says, "When I stopped living in the problem and began living in the answer, the problem went away…Acceptance is the answer to all my problems today."

Positive affirmations like that are another way to keep your stress levels down.

Just tell yourself that you can do it.  That you can make it.  That you don't need this stress in your life.  That you will conquer this stress.  That you will be a calmer person.  That you will be more positive.

These are all positive affirmations, and they will work on your stress.

Also, avoiding stressful situations will help you to control your stress.

If being around a lot of people is stressful for you, then try to only go to social events where there will be just a few people there.

Go to small family gatherings rather than large ones, or make an excuse to leave early if it gets too stressful for you.

If you are working outside the home, take a break when you feel yourself getting stressed.

For someone who has bipolar disorder, stress is an enemy that can affect your stability.

For a supporter, it is an enemy that can affect your well-being.