by April Trice

Created on: November 14, 2008

It's coming. Christmas. You can almost smell it. Stress laced with pine and holly. This time of year is virtually crippling to those living with Bipolar Disorder. There's family to see, gifts to buy, parties to attend, phantom worries to assess, invitations to decline, brooding, chewing of fingernails.

It's not too difficult to identify the Bipolar Scrooges. They're the ones who openly loathe the most festive holiday of the year. They write "Why I Hate Christmas" poems. They skulk through the Christmas aisles at their local department stores. If asked about their holiday plans, they're liable to glare and seethe. Who wouldn't be stressed out this time of year?!

With a little planning and foresight, anyonenot just those with Bipolarcan have a smoother and more manageable holiday season with minimal grumpiness.

Ten areas to focus on:

* Don't expect too much of yourself ~ If you're having a down day, accept it and don't try to fight it. Sometimes it's easier to just flow with your moods, good or bad.

* Take care of yourself ~ Be sure you're getting a good night's sleep every night, eating regularly and with health in mind. Stay consistent with any medication you may be taking and above all, abstain from any type of alcohol or drug use.

* Plan ahead ~ Have a list of things that need done and stick to it. This will keep you grounded in case of any unexpected surprises. Know what gifts you'll be buying and for whom. Choose one or two parties and politely decline the rest.

* Refuse to berate yourself should things not go your way ~ One of the most secure safety nets for relieving and preventing stress is to accept and move on. Fixating on the problem will only overwhelm and distract.

* Keep an open line of communication with your doctor, spouse, partner or family member ~ Make sure that there is someone who is familiar with your circumstance that you feel comfortable confiding in. Having the opportunity to vent in a healthy and emotionally safe forum is vital to maintaining your balance.

* Don't over-commit. Know when to say "NO!" This is one instance where putting yourself first is key.

* Maintain a peaceful and calm home environment ~ Everyone needs to have a place where they can regroup and center themselves. Home is always the best place. And not only during the holidays. Our environment has a profound effect on our moods and outlook and should be constantly monitored for any type of unnecessary stresses.

* Know when to remove yourself from a situation ~ If you are with a group of people and begin to feel extremely self-conscious and anxious, get out of there! You don't have to charge off like a spooked wildebeest, simply excuse yourself and find a quiet place to regain your composure. There's no shame in this!

* Do your best to maintain a positive attitude ~ This may be the most important and key factor here. A positive mindset is grossly underestimated in how we are able to cope and function in stressful situations.

* LastlyPamper yourself! ~ Don't feel one bit ashamed or guilty of treating yourself to a personal luxury during all of the holiday mayhem. Get a manicure, pedicure, go see a movie, eat an entire box of chocolate, go get that CD you've been dying to hear. We are incapable of having positive experiences if we neglect ourselves. Never underestimate your own self worth.

By incorporating these few ideas and some of your own, you will no doubt, survive the holidays and live to tell about it.

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