Things that help level off mood without medication

So my doctor and I have taken a break from medication, because it seems every pill I take makes me sick. This means good old fashioned management of the disorder.

I was wondering what sorta things I could try to help level off my mood without medication? Any things specifically for depression or hypomania?

Balance your sleep, exercise and eating. Avoid too much caffeine.

8 hours of sleep
A good long bicycle ride is relaxing
A good book
Staying away from triggers

Hey!

For me, exercise and sleep definitely. I exercise for 60-90 minutes each day, usually in the gym although some people find that boring and prefer outdoors stuff. But whatever sort of exercise it is, you should definitely take some regularly, every day if possible. When I broke my foot a couple of years ago and couldn't exercise, I was back onn anti-depressants within 10 days, so I know how much of an impact it can have on mood. And good sleep is hugely important for me too.

Best, keenie

Some great advice here.

I have freshers week at university starting Monday but I've told myself to not take any caffeine (because that triggers both my bipolar and panic disorders), try and sleep for 8 hours every night, and not drink more than 9 units of alcohol on any night out. (I don't know if any of you from outside of the UK measure alcohol intake in units, but basically a pint of my lager will be about 2.3 units). Hopefully this should see me to a healthy start to university while maintaining an active social life and getting to meet loads of people and make loads of great friends. I've been generally depressed for the past two weeks or so, but getting a good nights sleep for the last 4 nights and getting out for walks every day is definitely helping.

I used to go running, up to about 5 miles every other day or so, but I had to stop two months ago because I went over the top and started doing 8 miles per day, every day for a week and my left leg started aching really bad after that to a point where it hurt to walk and I was on painkillers every day. Finally my leg seems to be back to normal, so I might start easing myself back into running.