Managing Life

Article

Bipolar & Relationships — Turning back, not away

18 Nov 2020

Rx 4 Wholeness

By Stephen Propst Sharing and then respecting each other’s boundaries is a good way to begin the process of turning back to one another, not away. In the 30+ years I’ve lived with bipolar—and worked with countless others who do—I’ve found that people are more prone to back away or out of our lives. Similarly, we may find ourselves separating from meaningful relationships or forfeiting friendships with those who could be supporting us most.

Article

Getting a Grip & ‘Reining In’ Bipolar

3 Nov 2020

Rx 4 Wholeness

By Stephen Propst Family, friends, peers, and professionals all play pivotal roles in helping you. Ultimately, who’s the best qualified to be responsible for your welfare? You! Those of us living with a mood disorder confront a condition we did not choose. Though we may sometimes feel like it’s not in our control, we don’t have to surrender! Instead, we can work to keep bipolar at bay.

Article

When Bipolar Management Takes You Beyond Your Comfort Zone

30 Jun 2020

Rx 4 Wholeness

By Stephen Propst Are you stuck in your comfort zone? Here are some tips to help you become “unstuck” and continue on your journey toward stability. By a fairly young age, most of us develop a set of deeply ingrained beliefs. We then live within self-imposed comfort zones based on these beliefs. In our comfort zones we find safety, resist change, and often settle for what can be a mundane existence. The so-called comfort we find actually keeps us from achieving greater fulfillment.

Article

The A-B-Z’s on Sleep & Bipolar Management

30 Jun 2020

Rx 4 Wholeness

By Stephen Propst Those ever-important nighttime hours are vital to mood stability with bipolar disorder. Here are my tips on getting much-needed shut-eye.

Article

20 Simple Ways to Add Laughter to Your Day

26 Feb 2020

Rx 4 Wholeness

By Stephen Propst While depression and mania are no laughing matter, laughter has a way of keeping one grounded and being a great coping skill. Daily Dose of Laughter How many times does the average adult laugh per day? The answer, according to the Association for Applied and Therapeutic Humor, is 17. What about a kindergartner? That would be over 300. See the problem?

Article

Bipolar & the Head-Hand Disparity

2 Jan 2020

Rx 4 Wholeness

By Stephen Propst Brain illnesses don’t elicit the same level of empathy as does an injured hand — sometimes not even from those who know what you’re facing. Recently, due to an injury, my right hand was immobilized for six weeks. But for years I’ve felt that my head has been similarly immobilized (at least at times) because of bipolar.

Article

30 Small “Resignations” for Bipolar Management

31 Dec 2019

Rx 4 Wholeness

By Stephen Propst Bipolar moved me to “resign” myself to a healthier, more balanced way of thinking. Here I offer my realistic and simple recovery tips in place of New Year’s resolutions. It’s time to make those New Year’s resolutions. But, of the 40 to 50 percent of Americans who make them, more than 80 percent will break them, according to Harvard-trained psychologist Stephen Kraus, PhD. If you are like me, it’s easy to come up with these classic promises, but it’s far more difficult to follow through.

Article

How to Deal with Everyday Stress WITHOUT Sacrificing Your Stability

28 Aug 2019

Rx 4 Wholeness

By Stephen Propst In our society, stress is inevitable. When properly managed, stress can help us form a new, healthier mindset or spur us to take action and move in a positive direction. Stress as an Opportunity for Growth In our fast-paced society, it’s no wonder that we often feel stressed out. If you have the time, resources, and experience to effectively manage a situation, stress is kept at bay. When that’s not the case, stress comes into play.

Article

10 Ways to Repair Your Self Esteem

11 Apr 2019

Rx 4 Wholeness

By Stephen Propst When negative thoughts are flooding your mind, force them out and give your self-confidence a boost. It’s easy for me to buy things for others, but hard for me to accept gifts. I really don’t deserve anything.” “It’s not worth it. I just can’t seem to get my act together these days.”

Article

Laughing Your Way Through Bipolar Disorder Recovery

24 Jan 2019

Rx 4 Wholeness

By Stephen Propst Laughter — whether it be genuine or forced — can lift your spirits and help you through your bipolar disorder recovery. For as long as I can remember, laughter has been an important part of my life. I’ve always loved to laugh and make others do the same. Way back, when I was in third grade, I wrote the following little ditty on the chalkboard the day my teacher, Ms. Chambers, returned to class after having been in a car accident:

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