How do you keep your brain balanced

[Alannah57]

On the bipolar spectrum, and feeling like the methods I’m using to rebalance my brain about the world are really working. Just curious how other people rebalance their brains or kept themselves mentally happy and healthy

[missep123]

Hi Alannah!

It was so nice to read that the methods you have been using to rebalance your brain about the world were really working - if you feel comfortable would you be able to share? I am so curious!

For myself I have been trying to learn to 'put my energy' into good things rather than wallowing in the bad. For example, if I encounter someone rude or mean I used to ruminate and put my energy into thinking about it. Now I am trying to rewire my brain and stop myself before I spiral by reminding myself I want to invest my energy into things that are going to make me feel happy rather than upset. So for example I will stop myself and just think okay that happened and then try to think of a happy memory or something I am looking forward to instead.

Slowly it has been working but I feel as though I am undoing some 'bad' habits I fell into.

[Alannah57]

That’s exactly what I’m doing too, it‘s so great to just work on reprogramming your brain. I want to get more into CBT, because my mum did a course in that as part of teaching development about ten years back, and she found it really changed her life completely. I‘m really interested in the German principle of Ordnung where things are compartmentalised and where you kind of train your brain to besten your life up, and just in keeping a daily schedule where I look after myself and do things I like to do and feel would contribute to personal development, and allocating specific times for each activity; and allocating time to mental health activities daily e.g meditation, fairy stuff (do fun), CBT and journaling.

[jaz28]

hi there,

i don't have many answers - the brain is a mysterious thing! have you spoken to a doctor/psychologist about some strategies? CBT really helped with my anxiety.

jaz xx

[missep123]

Hi Alannah!

I agree, it is awesome that we are able to reprogram the brain! I like what you wrote about looking into a schedule to look after yourself. I think that we often don't make the time we need to do things especially for ourselves and our well-being. Little things definitely help! For example when I can remember to do so I like to write in my gratitude journal before bed. It really sets me up well and puts me in a positive mood.