My Favorite Self-Care Activities: Part 2 of 3

Here are 3 more self-care activities I sustain to keep myself from having another episode, aside from medication management.

Staying physically active.

Ever since I could run, I ran.

I ran with the boys down the street.

I ran with the cross-country team.

I ran with the track team.

And now I run with my husband or by myself. Why?

The benefits are rewarding and setting personal records has been inspiring. I run because it’s a challenge I can rise to every time. I run because it feels good to give my body that type of resistance. I run because I love to eat. I run because all I need to do it are some sneakers, a watch and a phone app to track my distance. I run because it’s really affordable way to stay in good cardiovascular shape. I run because it lowers my blood pressure and sugar levels. On top of all that, I run because it keeps my mood stable.

After about four or five days, I will notice a difference in my mood (more depressed and lethargic), and then my husband will ask me when was the last time I ran. And then it will dawn on me that I need to go out and exercise! (And a secret to getting into the routine and regularity of an exercise plan: find a training plan and get someone to hold you accountable to it. Also, stop thinking about the activity and just go out and do it!)

Creating with a purpose.

I’ve been creative all my life. Put a pencil in my hand and I would draw you the world. Give me a melody and I’ll sing it. Granted, I have a God-given talent and am naturally bent to be able to create and draw well, but the fulfillment it brings when I use this ability is fulfilling beyond words. It gives me purpose and I feel accomplished, excited and happy to create. I have this skill in my toolbox, so when I feel low or moody, or any opportunity to create a job from it (for a business logo or flyer design) I will jump at the chance to make a visual piece.

I realize not everyone has this talent but what do you do well in the world of creation? Maybe it’s music and you can read and write songs, or maybe you are good at interior design and decorating you house. Chances are you’ve got a creative bone in your body (especially if you’re bipolar), but if not, there is always purpose in creating something. What else could you create? Friendships – give a friend the gift of being there for them. Life advice – give your loved ones and others insight into your world of expertise. Create opportunities for others – with your money. Support good causes, give your church ten percent of your income and then some. Create something and you will find a purpose thereafter!

Socializing with family and friends.

This is something I struggle with but it is good self-care anyway. I corresponded with a reader this week who asked me about how I manage my friendships with the fear of being rejected. It caused me to take another look at my practice of being a friend. After examining that, I realized I don’t do well with friendships and socializing for a few reasons:

a. those insecurities,

b. a lack of just being a good friend to others,

c. a lack of taking opportunities for socializing,

d. looking at my phone instead,

e. not speaking up with any thoughts to contribute when I could share something helpful.

To reverse this self-centered tendency, I need to not be a know-it-all about issues in life. Instead I need to seek to understand and have a teachable spirit. Dale Carnegie’s golden rule teaches that I should be interested in others and if not, act like I am! I’ve found that with interest comes liking others, and with liking others, they generally tend to like you back (surprise!). Those are the key ingredients in this area that will make the recipe of friendship and relationships that much sweeter when I start to apply them. So I need to work on this area, but it’s self-care like no other when you have someone to go to, to share the burdens or thoughts you carry in your heart.

How else can you grow as a person without other people in your life? Making and keeping friendships and intentionally cultivating them is how we mature and learn to love others first-hand. Raise your hand if you could use a friend too!

I’m looking forward to sharing my last part of this series with you tomorrow – yay!

Stay brave and bold,

Katie