Hello there JOHN!! My goodness it has been a while.

Hope all is going great in your life my friend and good to be back on here, i haven't been on for a while, lots going on.

Anyway...to answer your question. OH YES! I utilize so many coping skills i oft have to determine which are best for which situation my mind is in at the moment..They are literally LIFESAVERS: literally.

I utilize NATURE big time as my exercise; everything from walks in my appalachian mountains, to keeping our apiary up and running ( i love those little insects and my bp seems to enhance the details that i notice making it a wonderment each time i open a hive!), to ginseng yellow root, black cohosh and mayapple and yellow root hunting and digging/selling to local buyer, to sitting amongst my regal oaks, hickories, dogwoods and redbuds (not to mention the poplars, beech and birch, ash and walnut to only name a few and of course the Buckeye trees!) just writing and reading or just contemplating and thinking. Of course it requires hiking to get to these places so the exercise is refreshing and i know once i reach my "quiet" place that solace awaits,

 I love gathering, splitting (with a mechanical splitter that is) and stacking wood for the winter, along with taking photographs constantly of the details that i feel so many do not notice or step over in their hurry rush rush world, I use journaling, drawing, reflective bubble thinking and research all the time alongwith EDUCATION to keep my mind focused or at least a feeble attempt to,

 I love to read but find it hard at times to do so but i persist and stay at it for it is a great love of mine. I also incorporate the local library as my "safe place" in public for it is quiet, lights not too bright, and peaceful feeling (although i have had my moments of panic attacks amongst the book aisles i still go on regular basis for i'm not much on crowds and people around and about me...basically i also use isolation and reflective thinking to cope along with writing poetry and short stories).

ALSO i think it is vital to utilize my therapists and groups in order to stay up on a bit of socialization and compare/contrast my experiences with others along with keeping doc apts when scheduled...i also keep a daily health/sleep journal. SO , with this small little book i just wrote I hope that I clarified some coping skills that others might try. I know living in the country things like tending the farm animals, gardening, bee keeping, yard work, and preparing for each season in various ways;  are also great therapeutic behaviors for me.One of my FAVORITES is 4wheeling through the hollers and valleys and across the mt tops of my appalachian home and just sitting a bit enjoying the view and the beauty..it revives the soul for sure. AND My husband got me a mini tape recorder where if my mind starts whirling with anything, creative or just bp babble, i can get it out of my head by recording no matter where i might be without the needfor pencil and paper! It is really a GREAT HELP to have this for as BP's know our minds whirl and race and dip and take flight unannounced so it is good to have something to vent these things to. As one with psychotic features with my Bp it has proved to be a very HUGE coping skill. One others might try....

Well john didn't mean to write a whole article....tooo many coping skills to list here and well wouldn't call myself a Jock but I AM very active...uhm esp when the mania takes hold! Being a rapid cycler I MUST have various means of coping and with education (i can't stress the importance of that factor enough!) and help from my therapist i have found many. I hope some how this LONG post can help others find something that will help them get through the tunnels of darkness that often overtake us and at times keep us in their catacombs far too long.

Take care dear John and thanks for the post and opportunity to talk to you again! I MISS YA!!!
ctrygirl

John McManamy, Health Guide

2/19/10 8:18pm

Hey, Ctrygirl. Great to hear from you again. I also enjoy the benefit of using a rural enviroment to my advantage. Plus I'm living in a great climate that favors being outdoors. Lots of mountain walks. Plus Saturday water volleyball.