These coping mechanisms naturally developed shortly after I was diagnosed with bipolar I. I call them Jedi mind tricks because they became part of my life unknowingly, almost as if a helpful Jedi influenced me into staying healthy. Some of these tricks go against my natural behavior pre-diagnosis (I’ll tell you which ones). These tricks unquestionably do not work once bipolar has become an active participant in my life, complete with manic or depressive symptoms (or a mix of these). Rather, these tricks are little everyday things I do to calm my brain and try to avoid an episode from starting.

1. Try to remain outwardly calm in the midst of inner stress

Pre-diagnosis behavior? No. I find that if I can remain calm on the outside, even if my body is screaming on the inside, I stay a lot calmer overall. It actually helps me calm down. It’s been great for living through a pandemic, although I’ve definitely had my outwardly stressed-out moments (haven’t we all?).

2. Be the calm one or voice of reason (if appropriate) when you’re with someone who is very upset

Pre-diagnosis behavior? Yes. Helping someone else calm down is the perfect way to be calm and not focus on your own stress. Everyone wins.

3. Be as prepared as possible

Pre-diagnosis behavior? No. Do I make my daughter’s lunch the night before school? Always. Do I check the GPS hours before getting in the car when I’m going somewhere new (or even when I’m going somewhere I’ve been a million times)? Yep. Do I always have a tissue on my person? What do you think? I could go on and on. Being prepared means less stress can crop up, and less stress means I can stay healthy.

4. Leave early for everything

Pre-diagnosis behavior? No. I would rather arrive early for an event and wait in my car than be on time or late. The stress of rushing and wondering if I’ll be on time is not worth it.

5. Drink very little alcohol or none at all

Pre-diagnosis behavior? No. Granted, I was never one to drink any type of alcohol often, but I’ve pretty much given up drinking altogether, aside from the occasional margarita (when I still went to restaurants). Having more than one drink isn’t worth the chance of bringing on a mood disturbance, except when it is. I’m still human.

6. Keep a tidy home, car, etc.

Pre-diagnosis behavior? No. Anyone who knew me before my diagnosis knows that I used to be messy. Very messy. My bedroom was always a disaster (as a kid there were times that I had to clear a path from my bedroom door to my bed so that I could sleep), I could never find anything, and I didn’t think I could ever change. Fast forward to shortly after my diagnosis: I magically became tidy and neat. I needed order in my environment to help calm my mind. One of my sorority sisters at Pitt (yes, I was in a sorority for a bit) was a self-professed neat freak. One day she was explaining why she enjoyed being so tidy and used the phrase, “clean house, clean mind.” I laughed in her face, thinking that one thing had nothing to do with the other. Coincidentally, soon after I was diagnosed with bipolar I and realized she was right.

7. Avoid TV and movies that might be triggering

Pre-diagnosis behavior?  No. Everyone’s triggers are different, but for me, excessive violence or violence involving children, horror or the paranormal, or anything about the current political climate are topics I avoid on TV of any kind and in movies. It doesn’t matter if it’s a true story or fiction. This includes TV news, since there’s no way to predict what’s coming next. Reading about these topics is much better for me, although I still need to be careful.

8. Avoid large groups

Pre-diagnosis behavior? No. I mentioned above that I was in a sorority before my diagnosis. Even then, being around such a large group of people was majorly taxing for me. I feel overwhelmed in a room full of people, even if I stick with just a few. I keep these type of events to a minimum.

9. Do the bare minimum for makeup, hair, and clothing

Pre-diagnosis behavior? No. As long as I feel good (or at least presentable) when I leave the house, I can’t be bothered by a lengthy getting-ready routine. My makeup routine consists of concealer, powder, and lip balm. To those lucky souls out there with no blemishes or dark circles, I’m jealous. I’ll use a little eyeliner if I feel like doing extra. As for my hair, I brush it (if I remember). As for clothes, I have unknowingly created a capsule wardrobe, so almost all my clothes match each other and can be worn interchangeably. To the outside world, I probably could look better, but I’m happy that I don’t feel the need to spend a lot of time fussing over myself.

10. Don’t do the grocery shopping

Pre-diagnosis behavior? No. Bright lights, crowds, numerous decisions to be made, and time-consuming. No thank you. If being around so many people at the grocery store doesn’t throw me, the aggravation of how much time it takes to shop will. My husband is a saint and does all of our grocery shopping.

Which of these Jedi mind tricks do you think might reduce stress in your life? What other Jedi mind tricks have you Incorporated into your daily routine? Share your feedback below in the Comments!