Reflections – The Bipolar Baker

January 19, 2021January 19, 2021

A Workout for Your Mental Health. Keep stress from the Covid pandemic and other events under control by sticking with these daily practices

http://www.wsj.com/articles/a-workout-for-your-mental-health-11610917200 Continue reading A Workout for Your Mental Health. Keep stress from the Covid pandemic and other events under control by sticking with these daily practices

January 14, 2021January 14, 2021

Exercise, Bipolar, and the Battle for Self

Yes, I know. I hate hearing, reading and talking about exercise and my mental health. I get tired of my doctors suggesting more exercise to help battle the side effects of my medications. I despise listening to the doctors that have prescribed the meds tell me that I could balance out the weight gain from … Continue reading Exercise, Bipolar, and the Battle for Self

December 7, 2020January 14, 2021

Holiday Planning

Holidays have been a bit rough the last few years. And this year is no different. It’s during these winter months that the deaths of my mother and grandmother are most felt. The holidays are very hard without them. I think one of the reasons I started to teach myself how to bake was to … Continue reading Holiday Planning

May 14, 2020February 23, 2021

Progress Update

The last few months have been filled with changes. Along with the medication additions and adjustments I’ve made some significant diet changes. In December we moved to a mostly vegan diet. The only dairy I eat is the occasional cup of milk or the few eggs in some of the breads I still make. I … Continue reading Progress Update

April 30, 2020April 30, 2020

Mania and Mini Breads

I’ve been struggling with a manic swing the last few weeks. I can’t sleep, I’m agitated and irritable, and I can’t concentrate. To make matters worse the quarantine has made my usual coping skills impossible to utilize. I can’t go wander through Barnes and Noble or go sit in my favorite diner for breakfast. I … Continue reading Mania and Mini Breads

April 14, 2020April 30, 2020

Is Everyone Making Bread!?

http://www.cnn.com/2020/04/12/world/meanwhile-in-america-april-10-intl-bread/index.html Ok. Seriously people is everyone baking bread now?! I can’t find flour anywhere! How am I supposed to do any coping baking, and eating during this quarantine without my baking supplies? I love that everyone is baking more but holy hell. Flour is getting impossible to find. I’ve even tried to purchase online from a … Continue reading Is Everyone Making Bread!?

April 1, 2020January 14, 2021

How do we stay connected?

How do we keep connected to those around us when we’re struggling with the symptoms of our mental illness? How do we keep our relationships healthy as well as take care of our own individual health? How do I talk about my mental health without making others uncomfortable? How do we make meaningful connections? Is … Continue reading How do we stay connected?

April 1, 2020January 14, 2021

Grateful

During this stressful time, it’s even more important for us to take a breath, refocus, and find gratitude for the little things. Continue reading Grateful

December 26, 2019December 31, 2019

Holiday Blues

The holiday season can be difficult. Continue reading Holiday Blues

October 16, 2019October 17, 2019

Bipolar and the Nightmare of Travel

Traveling. Who doesn’t love to take a vacation from the daily grind? Unfortunately for many of us, traveling can be stressful. And a possible bipolar mood episode trigger that we may spend months recovering from. The packing, the planning, the crowded airports, the plane ride, the car ride, the sleep disruptions….and on and on. I … Continue reading Bipolar and the Nightmare of Travel

August 1, 2019December 30, 2019

The Depressive Side of Bipolar

One of the hardest things about having bipolar, for me, is dealing with the depressive episodes. My mania is usually mild in nature and affects my sleep and irritability levels more then anything else. But the depressive episodes are very disruptive. Medication changes can help but they are hard to manage. The trial and error … Continue reading The Depressive Side of Bipolar

July 21, 2019April 7, 2020

Can’t focus.Can’t sleep.What can you do?

The last month has been a challenge. I had a medication change that had the wonderful side effect of wanting to eat EVERYTHING in the house. It started out helping with the depressive episodes and irritability, but I was hungry all the time. In the end the side effects didn’t outweigh the benefits. Which means…back … Continue reading Can’t focus.Can’t sleep.What can you do?

June 22, 2019November 21, 2020

Category: Reflections