Tips to Muffle the Mania

If you act quickly to warning signs of an impending mood episode and you remain vigilant you may be able to stifle mania. The sooner you recognize trouble the better your chances to prevent damage. Use these tips to help:

• Mark seasons, events, or periods of time that you find particularly stressful, and consult your doctor and therapist for strategies to reduce and cope with stress.

• Sleep more and party less until your moods stabilize.

• Channel your energy into productive, physical labor.

• Avoid all the wrong people — people who stress you out or jack you up.

• Phone a friend — a calm friend.

• Tune in to some relaxing sounds to calm yourself down.

• Breathe deeply, stretch, and focus without thinking too much about the future.

• Call in sick when work stresses you out.

• Check with your therapist for advice.

• Get your meds checked by your doctor.