Managing Your Health

In the fight against mental illness, maintaining a healthy lifestyle can have a positive effect on the mind. Getting regular exercise helps decrease your risk of disease, helps you control your weight and helps improve your attitude. In fact, people who exercise at least 2 to 3 times a week feel less depression, anger, distrust and stress than those who exercise less often or not at all. People who exercise regularly tend to feel better about themselves than those who exercise less frequently. Always talk to your doctor before beginning an exercise program. Read these tips to get moving:

If time is a barrier to exercise

Make exercise part of your day
Walk to and from work; walk at work or during a lunch break
Use the stairs
Throw a ball with your children or your dog
Put exercise dates on your calendar
Ride a stationary bike while watching television

If you're having trouble getting started

Start slowly. If you've been inactive for a long time, start by walking 10 minutes, or going around the block
Read magazines on fitness for ideas
Find people you admire who are in good shape and use them as role models
Spend time with people who make exercise a priority so you can support each other

If you get tired of your exercise program

Switch activities every so often
Get a friend or family member to be your exercise partner
Use different paths for jogging, walking or bicycling
Choose activities that you enjoy
Pick activities that have a built-in reward, such as walking to a friend's house

Think of exercise time as time just for you, a present you're giving to yourself. Pay attention to how you feel after you've been active and to how good it feels to get stronger to have more stamina and be healthy.

The Importance of Getting Sleep

According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), “Regular daily routines and sleep schedules may help protect against manic episodes.” On average, adults need 7 to 8 hours of sleep a night. But this is only an average. Some people need as little as 5 or as many as 10 hours of sleep. You need enough sleep to feel refreshed and function normally throughout the day. Here are some tips for getting a good night's sleep:

Remove sleep barriers

Don't eat heavy meals too close to bedtime
Stay away from food or drinks containing caffeine for 4 to 6 hours before bedtime. These include chocolate, cola, coffee and tea
Avoid drinking alcohol in the late evening. It can cause you to wake up during the night

Make your bedroom comfortable

Make sure your pillow and mattress are comfortable
Darken the room with shades or use a sleep mask
Keep the room at a comfortable temperature. Use a bed covering and nightclothes that suit the weather
Move the alarm clock away from the bed if it's distracting

Practice good sleep habits

Go to bed only when you're sleepy
Don't use your bed for activities other than sleep, reading and sex
If you don't fall asleep in about 20 minutes, leave your bedroom. Do something calming. Try reading or watching a video. Or, you might like to listen to a recorded book or your favorite music
Get up at the same time every day, no matter how long you sleep

Tell your doctor about any symptoms that cause you nighttime discomfort. Be sure to discuss whether medicines you take are affecting your sleep. And don't forget to include any over-the-counter medicines and/or supplements.

Solutions for Wellness

Eli Lilly and Company has programs to help people with bipolar disorder manage their health. Ask your doctor about the Solutions for Wellness program, and whether it's an appropriate addition to you overall treatment plan.

Talk to Your Doctor

If you have additional questions or concerns about this topic, talk to your doctor.