Well, it’s holiday time again. How can I tell? The stores are already advertising for Christmas, and it’s not even Halloween yet! Each year they seem to get earlier and earlier.
The holidays are a typically stressful time for people with bipolar disorder. It doesn’t have to be that way, though.
One year I even “cancelled” Christmas because I couldn’t handle it. I totally regretted it. I really got depressed then. But I learned my lesson, and even if it’s just for me and my husband, we decorate for Christmas anyway. We both have bipolar, so it affects us the same. Even if the kids don’t come over, we make it a special day just for ourselves. After all, we are celebrating Jesus and His birth – that’s the real reason for the holiday.
One thing to note, however. If this is your “time” of the year (prone to bipolar episodes) like it is mine, make sure you have all your Plan A’s and B’s in place. The holidays can sneak up on you if you’re not careful and watch out that the stress that they bring does not trigger you into an episode.
One thing you can do is get your holiday shopping done early, so you don’t have to deal with all those frantic people trying for last minute Christmas shopping. You have time to watch for sales, so it will help you out financially as well.
Another thing you can do is to make sure you are physically kind to yourself. Continue to eat a healthy diet, and if you’re used to walking for your exercise, either start doing it in a mall, or exercise inside with a video. You don’t have to even join a gym (altho you can) – I think the YMCA is free . The emphasis is on taking care of your health.
Stay consistent. Just because the season is changing (and the holidays are coming) doesn’t mean you should change your routine. The more you stick to your routine, the better off you will be with your BP.
Stay in contact with your friends, family, and support network. One year I isolated so bad that I went into a massive bipolar depression. I don’t want that to happen to you! Now that I do this, I never have an episode around the holidays any more. I have people to be accountable to, in addition to my therapist. If I isolate too long, don’t worry, they’ll let me know it!
Try volunteering this year to help you get through the season. There is always the Food Bank (in Florida we had one called Share, and I know they have this in other states as well, tho it might be called something else) to offer your time to – it will keep your priorities in order, and keep you grateful that you’re stable. Toys for Tots always needs volunteer help. Check with your local churches as well, as they may give out Christmas stockings to needy children and need help assembling them.
Whatever you do, make sure that it takes the focus off yourself — volunteering usually will do that, and you’ll have the added benefit of increased self-esteem that goes with it, as well as gratitude! For me, there is usually the AA clubhouse that’s open all day on holidays for those who are struggling with alcohol and drugs, so I go there to be available in case someone comes in. My Christmas is usually over first thing in the morning, so it doesn’t bother me to go somewhere else. And it always makes me more grateful to be clean and sober (as well as stable with my BP).
I guess what I’m trying to say is that you can help control your bipolar disorder this year. You do NOT have to go into an episode, if this is your normal bad time. Do something different this year – take the emphasis off yourself and onto someone else who is needy. Volunteer your good heart – it will bless you in return.
Wishing you peace and stability,
Remember God loves you and so do I,
Michele
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