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Living with bipolar disorder can be challenging, and living with bipolar disorder over the holidays even more so. While there are many great things about holidays, bipolar stability often isn't one of them. I believe we need to embrace the good parts of the holidays while protecting our mental health for after the holidays, too. Here are holiday tips when dealing with bipolar disorder.
As I said, there are many enjoyable things about the holidays. The trouble is that these enjoyable things often result in a disruption to our routine and our mental health. Even things we enjoy (like, say, alcohol, which we should avoid) aren't guaranteed to have a positive impact on bipolar disorder. (For many of us, there are negative things about the holidays with which to content as well.) Yes, this is terribly unfair. Whether you're navigating a positive holiday experience or a negative one, holiday tips really matter so you don't end up with a very depressed or otherwise unstable new year.
Previously, I have written about the negative aspects of the holidays just as much as the positive ones. Here are some bipolar holiday tips for when things aren't rosy and bright:
Hopefully, your biggest concern over the holidays is maintaining stability. It's not a minor concern, but it's better than worrying about anxiety or depression on top of it. Here are some general bipolar holiday tips:
Finally, if you're looking to give (or get) gifts that can improve or maintain your mental health, read this. It's full of ideas for what to give a person that can support mental health. I also wrote a bipolar gift guide a few years ago.
(For the record, no, you don't have to gift anyone anything that's mental health-related. Sometimes, it's the most supportive thing you can do, however.)
No matter how you're heading into the holiday, try to make sure it doesn't harm your bipolar disorder and overall mental health and maybe even helps it. Don't fall into the traps of alcohol and partying. Instead, enjoy time with the people you love and go see the twinkling lights. Those things always help me.
Image: Christmas cookie on snow decorated for holidays season,3d renderin - depositphotos.com
Natasha Tracy is an award-winning writer, speaker, advocate, and consultant from the Pacific Northwest. She has been living with bipolar disorder for 26 years and has written more than 2000 articles on the subject.
Find more of Natasha’s work in her acclaimed book: "Lost Marbles: Insights into My Life with Depression & Bipolar" on Amazon.
Connect with Natasha at the social media links below.
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Thank you, Natasha, for this fantastic post! I agree that alcohol should be avoided if we want the best for ourselves for the holidays. Instead, I opt for leisurely walks and savoring the beauty of Christmas decorations. May your holidays be filled with stability and joy!