COVID-19 Quarantine

The past few months have been strange. I saved up for two years and went on a cruise with ten friends in mid-February. We cruised from Ft. Lauderdale to Cozumel and back and it was fun! When I got back to Florida, I spent the day in Miami with one of my cruise friends before flying home.

Then, in early March, my father passed away after being in home hospice off and on for three years. We couldn't have his memorial service because of the COVID-19 pandemic just beginning to take off in the United States. We still have no idea when we will be able to have the service.

I've been working from home for three weeks now. This is a strange period of time and I wonder how long it could go on. I live alone and I'm social distancing so I'm not seeing many people at all. I have had some conversations with neighbors, from a safe distance, when walking around outside. I've had teleconferences for work and also with friends. That's the only socialization I have had besides phone calls with some friends and family and also sitting on porches and far away from people in their homes when that was still considered to be safe. I guess I could also count socialization over Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram as well.

Now we have been advised not to socialize at all -- even if we are 6 feet apart. Today I played the daily briefing from our governor from a speaker so a neighbor could hear it from afar. I sat on my deck and she sat about 20 feet away in the common yard of our condominiums. We decided to listen to the radio together again tomorrow.

All of this has been kind of surreal. I know I am better prepared for this than a lot of people because my battle with bipolar disorder has put me in lots of isolating positions before and I have worked hard to develop coping skills. I have also developed a Wellness Recovery Action Plan that helps me plan for wellness every day. I also think my medication gives me an edge over my peers who are experiencing this level of trauma for the first time.

I am taking things one day at a time. I am happy with the way my governor is handling this pandemic. He is focusing on the health and the lives of the people in my state. I am not happy at all with the way the federal government is handling things. I try not to think about it too much.

Along with social distancing, I'm trying to stay as healthy as possible by eating well and exercising. That way, if I become ill, I will hopefully be able to get over it at home. I do fear anyone I know becoming extremely ill and possibly dying alone in a hospital. I hope it doesn't happen, but I am mentally preparing myself for that possibility. It seems like, by the end of this, most of us will probably know someone who passed away during this pandemic. Spring is usually my favorite time of the year. This year, it is pretty grim.

The Last Days of Summer

I'm enjoying the last days of summer. I feel like I've taken full advantage of the season. I've spent a lot of time outside, I took a 12-day staycation, and I've spent ample time hanging out at my condo pool where I exercised, sunbathed, and enjoyed talking with neighbors and making new friends. I also worked on decluttering my condo and having needed repairs done.

One reason I think I enjoyed this summer so much is that I focused on self-care, including working to improve my physical health, and it has paid off. I started taking Deplin for my MTHFR homozygous C667T genetic mutation and I also started taking iron supplements for an iron deficiency that I have probably struggled with for years. I switched doctors in the spring and my new doctor tested my iron levels, when I reported having heavy periods, which my old doctor had never done. Taking care of these health problems seems to have increased my energy level, and I also look and feel healthier. I have better color and my hair is growing in thicker (iron deficiency can lead to both paleness and hair loss).

I've also continued my weekly therapy sessions which I started in February of 2016. Although I've been in some form of therapy for years, this is the only time I have ever been able to afford weekly sessions. In earlier years, I tried to make it once a month, but that wasn't always possible. Having weekly therapy has helped me so much because I can work on problems I face every week. Before, therapy was overwhelming because I felt I had so much to rehash in my infrequent appointments. I have experienced a tremendous amount of personal growth over the past two years that I attribute to these weekly therapy sessions. I'm so grateful for them!

I also read two daily meditations every morning which help to give me a lot of clarity. It is a great way to start my days. I read The Language of Letting Go and A Restful Mind: Daily Meditations for Enhancing Mental Health. Both of these daily meditations have been incredibly helpful to me!

I love my job, but sometimes it is stressful. At those times, I use wellness tools from my WRAP. My favorite wellness tools to use at work are: taking a short walk, using some scented hand lotion, or doing a few rounds of square breathing. I also make sure to drink plenty of water during the day.

So, I'm feeling really good about the end of summer. I always notice seasonal changes since I feel so different at different times of the year. I'll miss the relaxing afternoons at the pool, and leisurely chats with my neighbors, but I'm ready to make the transition to indoor exercise and swimming at the Y. And, one of my new friends that I met this year at the condo pool is also a member of the Y, and we have already taken a trip there together. We are both going to miss the outdoor pool, but we both know we need to keep exercising!

Wellness

It has been 28 years since I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, and I finally feel like I have figured out how to stay well for the rest of my life. It has been almost three years since I was  last hospitalized for mania. In the time since, I have made wellness the focus of my life. I work in the mental health field and my job is not too stressful. I work 37.5 hours a week and have good benefits and generous vacation time. It is never hard for me to get time off for doctors' appointments. It is a very good, healthy work environment. Having an interesting job that is easy to live with is very important to my mental health recovery. I have other health conditions besides bipolar disorder: PCOS, sleep apnea, psoriasis, allergies, and high blood pressure, and these health conditions are all well controlled by lifestyle changes and medications. I have found that keeping these conditions under control helps my mental health.

I am taking the lowest effective doses of my medications for bipolar disorder and they are working well: 200 mg. Lamictal and 100 mg. Seroquel. I have no complaints about side effects besides having to sleep a little bit more than I would like. It is much better than struggling with insomnia, psychosis, and mood instability as I have in the past though. When I think about the days when I was heavily medicated, being on such low doses of medications and doing well seems like a miracle. I also take the following supplements: a multivitamin, fish oil, vitamin D-3, and biotin. I take them because I believe they contribute to my overall wellness.

I stick to a routine. I have a regular bedtime and wake time. I believe that prioritizing quality sleep is the most important habit that keeps me well. I take my Lamictal and Seroquel between 8 and 9 p.m. and usually fall asleep between 10 and 11 p.m. I wake up at 7 a.m. on work days. I usually stick to the same routine on the weekends, but I occasionally stay out late with friends. Staying out late always requires sleeping late the next day because, with my medication, I always need 8-9 hours of sleep to feel rested.

I exercise every day. On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, I do a full-body strength training routine using dumbbells and a kettlebell. I have realized that I feel much better when I feel strong. Lifting weights also helps me to sleep much better. On the days that I don't lift weights, I at least take a walk, but I also enjoy cycling, hiking, and swimming.

I make time to spend time with friends and family. I am also friendly with my neighbors and people I encounter while out running errands and shopping. Having good relationships with people in my community is important to me. I eat well, limit my caffeine intake, and drink lots of water. I have made a Wellness Recovery Action Plan, and I follow it. I meditate twice a day -- in the morning and at night. I also take deep breaths as needed. I never realized how much these habits would help me until I incorporated them into my life. I go to therapy once a week. My therapist is encouraging and helpful and understands the challenges I face living with bipolar disorder. This kind of support helps me stay motivated to stay well.

Staying well is fairly simple, but it takes attention to detail and commitment. Doing all of these things regularly and keeping a routine is what keeps me well. Life is good. The things I am currently working on to improve my life are losing weight and decluttering my home, and these things are much easier to focus on when I am well.