Reduce Stress – Stress can cause or worsen symptoms of mania or depression.  It is important to lean what causes your stress, ways to identify and deal with stressors and ways to minimize your overall day-to-day stress levels. Stress may be caused by a variety of factors, both external and internal – some of which you may not be aware of.  Repeated or constant stress can lead to tension, chronic pain, anxiety and an inability to enjoy life. With the right treatment and therapy, you can learn to anticipate and deal with stress, and with support, you can work on breaking out of stressful patterns or situations.

•        Recognizing and Handling Causes of Stress
•        Communication
•        Relaxation

Physical Well-Being – Healthy sleeping, eating and physical activity habits do not have to be complicated, depriving or uncomfortable, and can make a big difference in the way you feel.  Many people have found that simple changes such as eliminating caffeine or taking walks regularly have helped stabilize their moods.  Though symptoms of your mood
disorder may disrupt sleeping, eating or physical activity, making things as consistent as possible, especially sleeping, can help keep your symptoms from worsening.  Regular habits can also help you spot the beginning of a manic or depressive episode more quickly.

•        Sleep.
•        Eating Right
•        Exercise

Treatment – A good treatment plan is the foundation of a healthy lifestyle.  Thought it may take time to adjust to medication and therapy, they are your best defenses against symptom recurrence.  Everyone has a different physical and emotional makeup, so it often takes time and patience for you and your doctor or mental health professional to
find the right treatment strategy for you.  It is most important that you communicate your needs to your health care providers and work with them to discover the best possible approach to symptom management.  Your loved ones can play an important role in your treatment plan, too.  You can help them to help you by making them aware of your
medication needs and having them watch for signs of symptom recurrence.

•        Your Health Care Provider
•        Support and Symptom Monitoring

Relationships – Living with a mood disorder can make it difficult to maintain friendships, family relationships and intimate partnerships.  Relationship trouble may arise from unpredictable or careless behavior during manias or social withdrawal during depressions, and may be made worse by others’ lack of understanding of mood disorders.  Though you may feel lonely and isolated at times, you are not alone – almost everyone who has dealt with a mood disorder has been frustrated by interpersonal difficulties.  Education, communication and acknowledgement of feelings are some things to keep in mind with working to build or rebuild relationships.

•        Acquaintances
•        Friends
•        Family
•        Intimacy

Work – Mood disorders can affect people on the job in many ways.  Sometimes it may be necessary to reduce work hours or stop working completely in order to deal with depressive or manic symptoms.  Other times, work is not a problem, by questions may arise about how open to be about your illness.  It is important to be in a work environment that is not uncomfortable or unduly stressful and does not aggravate your symptoms.  If you are not employed, volunteer activities can help maintain a daily routine, provide contact with others and give a sense of accomplishment.  Whether you are employed part-time, full-time, unemployed or involved in volunteer work, it can be
helpful to consider your stress level needs for accommodation as well as your unique skills and long-term goals.

•        Finding Employment
•        Maintaining Employment
•        Talking with Your Employer About Mood Disorders

A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE CAN BE YOURS.
Paying attention and making changes to aspects of your life such as stress management, physical fitness, medical treatment, relationships, and daily job or volunteer activities can have far-reaching positive effects on your mental and physical health.  There is no right or wrong way to go about making these changes and you can make them at your own pace.  The right healthy lifestyle plan is the one that works best for you.