Aside from being debilitating, a poorly managed mood disorder can be life-threatening.

For most people treated for bipolar disorder, medication significantly improves their quality of life. But is there more that we can do to improve our health and mood stability?

Embracing positive lifestyle changes can help.

Nutrition

Optimising nutrition for brain health is a vast topic. Still, without diving into detail, a few simple guidelines to follow can significantly impact mood stability.

Eliminate junk food. This includes fast foods, heavily processed foods, sugar-rich sweets and desserts, and, yes, sugary drinks and sodas.

Eat real food. Real food is whole, unprocessed food—meat, eggs, dairy, vegetables,

fruit and whole nuts.

Healthy eating should not be seen as a deprivation diet, but rather self-care and feeding your brain the nutrients required to optimise function.

Sleep

The right amount of good quality sleep is instrumental in mood management. We can follow several tips to improve our downtime.

  • Maintain a sleep schedule going to bed and waking up at the same time every day.
  • Avoid caffeine, nicotine and alcohol in the evening.
  • Avoid eating large meals a few hours before bed.
  • Stop using electronic devices at least one hour before bedtime.
  • Develop a relaxing ritual before bedtime, like taking a warm bath or reading a book.
  • Your bedroom should be dark, cool and quiet.

Physical Activity

Physical activity boosts mood by increasing the release of serotonin, which helps with mood stability and endorphins, which are natural mood lifters.

This includes any activity that requires energy and works your muscles, even gardening and housework.

Some people prefer the slow, gentle movement of yoga or tai chi, particularly if depressed. Even 15 minutes of walking helps beat the blues.

Just getting outdoors and doing some gardening or washing your car can uplift the mood.

Choose what works for you based on your functionality, energy level and preferences.

Sunlight / Light

Exposure to natural light increases the mood-enhancing hormone serotonin.

But getting enough light can be challenging when you’re spending the day at work.

A short walk during your lunch hour will help, including a walk beneath the Winter sun. Even on a dreary day, the lux intensity of outdoor light far exceeds that of an artificially lit building. لعبة قمار اون لاين

In Northern Hemisphere countries where Winter days are short and inclement weather is frequent, getting your dose of daylight may be hard to do.

Here light therapy lamps or light boxes may offer a solution. Although they do not precisely mimic sun exposure, they certainly help keep the winter blues at bay.

Routine

Have you heard of Social Rhythm Disruption?

It is the theory that a disruption in routine or social rhythms may lead to imbalances in the circadian rhythm.

Routine includes the timing of sleep, meals, exercise, and even social interactions.

For those vulnerable, even minor routine disruptions can play a role in the onset of affective episodes.

Of course, we are not suggesting that your days are never varied, but embracing a routine that includes waking up and going to bed at the same time each day, exercising consistently and eating regular meals may assist in mood stability. تكساس بوكر