Category: Reflections
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
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
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
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
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!?
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?
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
Holiday Blues
The holiday season can be difficult. Continue reading Holiday Blues
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
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
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?
Relax. Breathe. Bake
To say I’ve been a little anxious is
Continue reading Relax. Breathe. Bake
Smells like Christmas
I’ve had my eye on this iced treat Continue reading Smells like Christmas
Psychologists Explain The Benefits Of Baking For Other People | HuffPost Life
It’s not just about giving them something sweet. — Read on http://www.huffpost.com/entry/baking-for-others-psychology_n_58dd0b85e4b0e6ac7092aaf8 Continue reading Psychologists Explain The Benefits Of Baking For Other People | HuffPost Life