[Mari]

Hi,


http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/11/11...ref=rss_health

A UK neurosurgeon was dx'd w/ bipolar when she was 28. Now she is a tdoc and off meds.

Here's something that sounds useful:

I worked out that there are five main areas of life which affect a person's mood that can be changed. The five keys are your surroundings; your physical health; your relationships; what you know are your strategies for life; and being yourself.

Recent studies have shown how important surroundings are. Looking at trees and being in natural surroundings as opposed to being in city environments helps people feel better. Physical health is equally important; diet and exercise are fundamental. Even if someone has a disability he or she can still be healthy.

I'm still working on that. Tdoc wants me to find a place within my own home that is MY place -- kind of like Isis's thread "Wouldn't it be Lovely?" http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread107786.html
Tdoc has talking about that for a while and wants me to think about it some more for next month. I think I am supposed to find a spot that is mine and that I can use for relaxation / thinking / breathing.

Also

Good life coping strategies are important, for example how we talk to ourselves. Too many people beat themselves up, rather than give themselves the healthy balanced encouragement they naturally give their friends. I believe that first we have to be our own best friend. This goes with the skill of thinking rationally and compassionately about even the most emotional issues.

I'm working on the own best friend part.

And occassionally I think about nature -- but it does not come naturally (). I have to work on that.

Do any of you have surroundings that are good for your moods?

I googled for pictures of quiet rooms / quiet spaces and didn't find anything that seemed quiet for me.

I have no idea what I would put in my quiet room. I'm so out of touch with myself. I'd have to hire someone to do that job for me.

M.