5 Great Hobbies for Bipolar People

Bipolar disorder is a mental illness that causes untoward shifts in a person's mood, energy, activity levels, and concentration.These shifts typically vary from extreme highs of energized and ecstatic behaviors (manic episodes) to extreme lows of hopeless and sad periods (depressive episodes).The cultivation of hobbies that improve the mental health of bipolar people is encouraged.Healthy hobbies and other activities would help a bipolar person to manage and balance bipolar disorder.Hobbies can also give you a sense of purpose and accomplishment and help to avert mood swings.They also improve the cognitive function of the bipolar person thereby helping them to manage mood swings.Hobbies such as the creation of art and writing are greatly encouraged.They give room for creativity and expression.Most times, there is a 'rush' of creative ideas during manic episodes, and the creation of arts and writing during this period would be an effective way to manage and channel the mood appropriately.Exercise and gardening are also great hobbies for bipolar people.They are beneficial both mentally and physically to a bipolar person.Tendering a garden can be nerve-relaxing making it a great hobby.Music is surely another good way to switch up a person's mood.This includes listening to music and playing musical instruments alone or with other people.The following are advisable hobbies for bipolar people.

Therapeutic Benefits of Art

Art is an avenue for the expression of one's thoughts and feelings and it reigns supreme as one of the hobbies for bipolar people.The process of creating art can be therapeutic.Arts include painting, drawing, and sculpting.Creating art will occupy your time and give you a sense of accomplishment when you conclude it.Creation of arts during manic episodes is encouraged as you are more creative during manic episodes.It can improve your self-esteem and prevent feelings of depression.Also, it gives you the chance to showcase your creativity to the world.

Healing Power of Writing

Writing your feelings, thoughts, and emotions down in your diary or a journal is good for persons living with bipolar disorder.This is a top hobby for bipolar people as it helps them to channel all their stress and grief as well as show their creativity.Writing may be fictional or non-fictional written in diaries, journals, blog posts, and even on social media platforms.It may also be a short letter or a poem to a loved one.A constant writing habit is encouraged as it can be a good means to track one's mental health symptoms on a daily basis and to organize one's thoughts and ideas during manic periods thereby improving concentration.

Exercise Can Help Improve Both Mental and Physical Health

Exercise includes long walks, yoga, hiking, dancing, swimming, and exercising in the gymnasium.Exercising is a healthy hobby for bipolar people.It develops not just your mental health, but also your physical health by helping you lose weight if you are overweight, build muscle if you are underweight, and tone up your body for better self-confidence.Also, they can provide a mental boost during depressive episodes as well as a way to let out energy during manic episodes.If your choice is exercising, it is preferred that you develop a daily workout plan and work toward achieving it.A simple workout plan is advised as failure to meet up with the workout plan may lead to feelings of inadequacy and frustration which can result in manic episodes.Hiking is also encouraged as it gives you a feeling of accomplishment that improves self-esteem.Dancing is also a form of exercise and forms one of the great hobbies for bipolar people.It can help relieve anxiety and depression and is good for your heart rate. You may either dance alone or with a group of people which would be an interesting way to socialize and combat depression.Long walks with your pet are other effective ways for you to burn off some excess energy.Intensive aerobics are also advisable for depressive episodes as during a workout your body releases endorphins, and these "feel good" hormones can help prevent depression.

Finding Stability and Creativity Through Gardening

Gardening can be a time-consuming and demanding activity, thereby making it a preferred hobby for bipolar people when they have excess energy.Gardening is very beneficial as it affords stability and also allows for creativity and personal expression through colors and textures.There is a feeling of pride and accomplishment when you watch your garden flourish.This can effectively prevent depressive mood swings.Tendering a garden whether small or big also promotes an optimistic attitude as you can have something to look forward to every season.Another bright side of gardening is that you can get fresh produce or other goods such as flowers from your garden.You don't need to have a personal garden; you could volunteer at a community garden or grow an indoor garden with a few plants.

Therapeutic Effects of Music

Music is therapeutic.Either listening to or playing a musical instrument is a good hobby for bipolar people.From time immemorial, music has been used as a means to cure depressive episodes.The different genres of music may fit into a bipolar person's varying moods.It uplifts an individual's mood and provides comfort to the individual.It can also help you process uncomfortable emotions through the lyrics of the music which may be an encouragement to the listener.Bipolar people are encouraged to learn a musical instrument they can play to avoid depressive episodes or whenever they are having depressive episodes as it boosts mental health.Playing music in a band with friends is also a great way to connect with others and relieve stress.

Conclusion

The development of healthy hobbies and other activities would help a bipolar person to manage and balance bipolar disorder.Hobbies such as the creation of arts, writing, exercise, gardening, and music are great hobbies for bipolar people.

Resources

https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/bipolar-disorder

https://vantagepointrecovery.com/9-healthy-activities-bipolar-disorder/#

https://findhobby.net/hobbies-for-those-living-with-bipolar-disorder/

https://www.bipolar-lives.com/bipolar-disorder-and-hobbies.html

https://www.healthgrades.com/right-care/mental-health-and-behavior/best-hobbies-for-mental-health