Recovery: Sleep Patterns
I'm typing on my brand new computer! It's beautiful, shiny and has great colors. This web page looks nicer on it, too. It has a webcam on it. I can't wait to use it! Stay tuned for some video from me.
I'm feeling okay today. A little tired. I overslept. Depression takes it's toll on all parts of your body and mind. Fatigue is just part of it. No wonder I spend so much of my time in bed these days. Yesterday I was in bed straight after dinner. I watched my shows on TV and read, but I was exhausted. I could barely keep my eyes open. I would've gone to bed, but I knew that I would wake up at 3am if I did that. Finally at 9pm I gave in and took my sleep medicine and turned on my iPod to help me sleep. My iPod is filled with soothing music from Aqualung. I highly recommend it. Not only does it cancel out the noises around me, it also calms my mind from thinking too much so I can sleep.
Sleep is an important part of recovery from Bipolar. Regular sleep patterns, going to bed at the same time and waking at the same time, does a lot to reduce changes in mood. Too much sleep leads to depression and too little sleep leads to mania. It's best to get 7-8 hours of sleep per night. I usually go to sleep at 9pm and wake at 4am. Sometimes I'll have enough energy that I can go to sleep at 10pm, but that doesn't often happen. Regular sleep patterns are essential to recovery.
About the Author: Cristina C. Fender, 34, is rapidly becoming an expert on Bipolar Disorder. She has been researching Bipolar Disorder and blogging about her own experiences for several years. At age 21 she was diagnosed with depression and saw psychiatrists for over ten years before she was correctly diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder I. Her vision for writing at Raw Writing for the Real World of Bipolar is to inform and educate the public about mental illness. Feel free to Email Cristina a comment or a question.Share Your Own Bipolar Story. Click here to Subscribe in a Reader.
© 2009 Cristina C. Fender
