Tips For Coping

I wanted to share some coping tips I have learned during my journey of struggling with bipolar and depression. I hope you find at least one of these tips helpful as you continue to live your life with strength and courage. A lot of the tips include making lists which can be extremely beneficial when you deal with a brain that just does not want to function a lot of the time. So here goes...

1. First and foremost you must pray over everything! Talk to God throughout the day, when you are happy, sad, mad, etc. God understands and He is ALWAYS there to listen.
2. Second most important thing, do not wait to find a good counselor. No matter how strong you think you are get a counselor to help talk through all the many emotions you feel from day to day.
3. Make lists! This is key to help you figure out where you are in your life, what you have gone through, good or bad.
4. List your blessings daily, no matter how large or small, list them all. Try to list at least five a day, I bet you will find you have much more that that!
5. List the good things about yourself, do not be afraid to list ANYTHING.
6. List your support system, friends, family, pastors, counselors, etc.
7. List the different ways you can de-stress when you feel like you are losing control. Examples: take a hot bath, listen to a good song, call a friend, read encouraging quotes, etc.
8. Be involved as much as possible in a church, book club, online forums, or other social club.
9. Never be afraid to cry! Crying really does heal your soul. With every tear shed it is one step closer to feeling whole again. Tears do not show weakness, they show the building of strength!

I hope some of these may help and I look forward to sharing more thoughts throughout my journey!