Keep stress to a minimum
Hi everyone, let's talk about stress today!
Stress is something that can be unhealthy both emotionally and physically:
How do you usually cope with stress?
What are the situations that trigger it most?
What could help lessening your stress level?
Stress can trigger episodes of mania and depression in people with bipolar disorder, so keeping it under control is extremely important. Know your limits, both at home and at work or school. Dont take on more than you can handle and take time to yourself if youre feeling overwhelmed.
Learn how to relax. Relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, yoga, and guided imagery can be very effective at reducing stress and keeping you on an even keel. A daily relaxation practice can improve your mood and keep depression at bay.
Make leisure time a priority. Do things for no other reason than that it feels good to do them. Go to a funny movie, take a walk on the beach, listen to music, read a good book, or talk to a friend. Doing things just because they are fun is no indulgence. Play is an emotional and mental health necessity.
Appeal to your senses. Stay calm and energized by appealing to your senses: sight, sound, touch, smell, and taste. Listen to music that lifts your mood, place flowers where you will see and smell them, massage your hands and feet, or sip a warm drink.
Despite your best efforts, there may be times when you experience a relapse into full-blown mania or severe depression. In crisis situations where your safety is at stake, your loved ones or doctor may have to take charge of your care. Such times can leave you feeling helpless and out of control, but having a crisis plan in place allows you to maintain some degree of responsibility for your own treatment.
A plan of action typically includes:
A list of emergency contacts – your doctor, therapist, close family members
A list of all medications you are taking, including dosage information
Symptoms that indicate you need others to take responsibility for your care, and information about any other health problems you have
Treatment preferences – who you want to care for you, what treatments and medications do and do not work, who is authorized to make decisions on your behalf
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@BeyondTheInvisible
Just had a meetup this morning on "Stress and Mental Health"
My usual stress reduction method is usually a good workout. The more stressed I get, the more energy I have to burn off (which makes stress during a period of depression that much harder to deal with). I either push harder (more weight) or longer (more reps) on those bad days.
Financial stress continues to be my biggest stressor, though plans going sideways on me will cause a spike, and the worst of that is having the dispatcher throw a change of plans into a route (usually resulting in a u-turn and multi block detour with his usual timing, affecting times on everything else on board).
I need to get back to taking adaptogens, my body is starting to scream at me again. My adrenal and GI systems are showing signs of long term stress, but that's a side effect of my recent financial issues.
@Phoenix84
Hello Phoenix, sorry to hear that the financial issues cause you high level of stress.
I wish you to find ways to lessen it a bit or at least to have moments in which you can recherge a bit the "battery" .
Self-care and "me-time" moments can probably help a bit?
Wish you well!
@BeyondTheInvisible
Started personal bankruptcy a couple weeks ago, had the first of 2 counselling sessions yesterday. It's not the end of that stress, but it's a reduction in it
@Phoenix84
That's really great! 
Keep on doing, you will update us about how things go on, if you feel to 
@BeyondTheInvisible yes great ideas
How do you usually cope with stress? The first thing I try to do is avoid stressful situations in the first place.
What are the situations that trigger it most? The worst are the ones where I react instead of maintain calm and observing attitude.
What could help lessening your stress level? Being mindful and aware of my breath and not following the anxious thoughts really helps.
@soulsings
Hello Soul!
Glad to har that you are in total awarness of what cause it and what is useful to lessen it as well!
�How do you usually cope with stress? - I try and face it head on, but I also take a walk and write it down.
�What are the �situations that trigger it most? - When people bring up my past or talk about money.
�What could help lessening �your stress level? - Uh by being around the right people and keep working on deep breathing and mindfulness.
These are great tips and I will for sure keep these in mind. Thank you!
@Goldcherry2113
Hello there Goldcherry2113!
How was your weekend?
Good coping mechanisms you have, keep on going!
Wishing you a nice new week ahead 