Downtime Is Essential To Bipolar Disorder- The Bipolar Battle, Inc.

Whether you live with bipolar disorder or not, it’s important to find some time to downshift from the fast-paced speed of life.

Bipolar disorder is an illness of extremes. These extremes—and intensity of symptoms—vary between individuals.

I follow a treatment plan and crisis plan to help manage my bipolar disorder. It is a game plan for my treatment.

The dictionary defines downtime as “a reduction in activity or the complete elimination of activity altogether.” It is an important component I use in my overall treatment plan.

I use downtime to help successfully manage my bipolar disorder daily. It is a way to decompress and re-center myself each day, and it provides a way to lessen the strain and stress on both my brain and body.

Types of Downtime

Find something you enjoy doing and stick to it. You are more likely to keep up with it if you like what you are doing. It may sound funny that I need to say this about relaxing and taking it easy, but that is not the case for everyone.

Remember, it takes time to make something a habit. Contrary to popular opinion, there is no right amount of time to create a habit. For some, it could take three weeks. Another person could take two months. Give it some time and do not rush anything.

Examples include:

Watching a movie
Deep breathing
Taking a Restorative Yoga Class
Practicing Meditation
Listening to relaxing and soothing music
Reading
Watching a TV show
Looking at pictures
Listening to a podcast
Getting a massage

Hopefully, these suggestions will give you some ideas and possibly inspire your own.

If you do not see an activity on the list that you enjoy, please comment below, as I would love to hear your ideas.

Finding Downtime

It can take some effort to find some downtime. Instead of finding time, make the time.

Some people do not have the luxury of available chunks of time throughout the day. If you feel you cannot find the time, can you get up five minutes early to meditate? What about doing some deep breathing on a water break at work?

I completely understand the chaotic pace of life and how fast it travels. There never seems to be enough time in the day to get everything done.

Like anything else important, you will probably need to create the time.

Family Downtime

If you look around at modern families, you will see a very common theme. Do you see kids going from one activity to another to another?

Getting kids into activities is a wonderful idea. However, just like anything else in life, too much of something can be problematic—even if that something is a good thing.

Having a family game night is a great way to relax and spend time together as a family. A family movie night is another example.

I don’t want to come across as someone trying to tell you how to parent. For me, I find it helpful to reevaluate periodically where I am.

What does your situation look like now?

Burnout

Stress increases the possibility of an episode—mania or depression.

Burnout can trigger an episode and increase the intensity of your bipolar symptoms.

Burnout occurs when you keep going and going, and you push past the point your mind and body can handle until it feels like you shut down.

Never fear, there is hope!

Take time to stop and take a breath.

Downtime is a wonderful tool to help combat burnout. This will help you to better manage your bipolar disorder.

Last Thoughts

Never use downtime as an excuse for unhealthy behavior. Add it as a part of your treatment plan.

My suggestion is to use a mood journal if you are not yet doing so. Along with keeping track of your mood, energy level, and activities, record your downtime, including how you feel before, during, and after.

Remember, we compose a treatment plan of many parts and components.

It’s okay to relax and take it easy. Permit yourself to do so, and you will reap the benefits in the long run.