Bi Polar treatment naturally: Exercise

Through the years, I have found some actions which help
to alleviate some of the pain and disconnect which occur
regularly when cycling with bi polar disorder (a.k.a. manic
depression.)

It should be noted these are just suggestions for helping to
taper off the severity of this devastating illness, and not in
any way a cure or something to take the place of therapy
and medication. Like most things, it is a regiment of many
positive factors that produces the best results; all factors
coincide to make healing more effective.

Today, I'll focus on physical activity.

Exercise is incredibly important, and even though I have
many physical limitations, I strive to find ways to stay
active. I walk, I do yoga, I do light aerobics (dancing to
music,) and calisthenics. It all depends on mood, weather,
and physical acuity on a particular day what I decide to do.
That's where flexibility and assortment come in handy.

If I'm having a day where I don't feel 'motivated,' I have
learned to make myself do it because I know it is for my
own good, and the end results is that the post-workout
Robert will feel better for having done something, rather
than nothing. Even a mild, brief workout, or several small
and light workouts through a day are better than being
sedentary.

I always make sure to stretch out easily and well; I don't
rush and I don't overextend. I don't have anyone to impress,
and nothing to prove. My health and welfare is always my
top priority.

If I am especially stiff and sore, I'll do a soak in a tub of
Epsom salts. This helps muscles, joints, and relaxation.

On a day where I am sitting at the computer for an especially
long period, I do isometrics, which are toning and flexing
of the muscles in an isolated way so that specific muscles
get worked out. This is a good way to keep from getting
'secretary spread' and blood clotting. I also stand up and
stretch regularly to keep from atrophying.

Yard work is a good release; constantly changing jobs so
I don't overdo it on one motion (and then have hurting
muscles the next day.) Think of it as you would reps in a
workout. 10 minutes raking, 10 minutes squatting for
weeding, short break, 10 minutes hauling heavy stuff, 10
minutes mowing, break, etc. And of course always drinking
plenty of water, no matter the temperature.

When I work at the school, I am standing on a hard floor
most of the day, but I will take a few minutes once an hour
to do some deep bends and stretching to flex the muscles,
and I take a pair of tennis shoes to change into and walk the
campus during a free period.

The point is that I don't allow myself any excuses; not
schedule, time, mood, disability, or physical exhaustion.

No matter your situation or mindset, there is some form of
activity that can be accomplished. It's the effort of self-improve-
ment that has to be centered in the mind, not the apathy that
can sometimes deter us from starting.

And the endorphins released from exertion have a natural calming
and pleasuring effect when entering the bloodstream.

Another side to the exercise is that the better we look and feel,
it's one less thing to weigh on our depression. Keeping busy
and being generally 'in motion' is also a good way to keep your
blood pumping and your oxygen cleaning.  Staying off the couch
and away from the lure of TV, food, and other 'comforts' is a
good alternative.

Remember; Bodies in motion stay in motion, and bodies at rest
stay at rest. The easiest way to start is just to start.

(If you do have physical ailments, check with a physician to see
what sort of exercise you can safely work into your routine!)
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"Why can't you just act right?"

Although it's hardly a laughing matter, I chuckle when
I think of the average person's misconception about
those of us with mental afflictions.

The above cartoon serves to illustrate how simplistically
most feel towards a condition like bi-polar disorder
(a.k.a. manic-depressive illness.) If only it were as easy
a notion as picking out a different shirt, from a clear and
conscious point of view.

I have, over the last few years, discovered an alarming
problem, even within the context of my already perplexing
illness of constant cycling from mania to severe depression.
The realization was that upon each new cycling (return) of
the depressive element, it worsens.

I have been unable to find competent care available for
a person without insurance, particularly here in the smallest,
most isolated, most backwoods part of Georgia, a state the
federal government had to file a lawsuit against for the
established incompetency in dealing with people with mental
illness. (You know it's bad if the government --Department of
Justice--has to get involved and say "You're killing folks!")

I thought perhaps I was even more 'crazy' than initially
understood, with these increasing lows (but, unfairly enough,
not increasing manias, Dammit!) I figured I would continue to
spiral until reaching an inevitable, horrid-enough existence
that suicidal tendencies would no longer be frightening, it would
be welcome release. I thought I was deteriorating into an
even deeper, different hole.

And then I read this book, entitled "Food and Loathing" by
Betsy Lerner, and she mentioned, simply enough, that bipolar
is a progressive illness, when not treated and maintained by
medication.

Now, I understand the chemical component of bipolar, and
that my brain can't materialize what it's incapable of producing.
But never, in any of my various readings and studying to find
answers through the last 28 years, had I ever seen anything
that mentioned the progressive nature of the disease.

I sobbed to read these words. Not because of the dire nature
of their portent, but because I knew that I was not alone; that
I saw for a moment there was a logical reason for what was
happening in my life.

No more idea of my being inferior, even for a 'mental patient.'
No more worry that I was descending into complete madness.
This was part of the party package that I had received (even
though most definitely not a requested one!)

I have found many ways to cope with the highs and lows of
this disease, and made peace with those aspects I cannot
control, but to know that this severity and fear I had faced
was not exclusive to me....that I was not just 'too weak'...
this was both revelation and uplift.

Maybe this message can reach someone else, too.

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