The Green Ribbon Project, Volume 7: Maintaining Serenity

Thinking about the mental health challenges I have faced and the ups and downs, especially in this era with so much dissension in politics, health, income disparity, everybody seems to be in a pickle.

20 years ago I was a passenger in a car crash that put me in the hospital on morphine for nine days. Within 24 hours I developed full-blown mania which developed into late onset bipolar. At age 53. I quit my job, left my husband, moved out of the home I had lived in for 25 years, and stepped into a rather edgy and challenging time though I was oblivious with the mania. I had had a quite lovely life, Surrounded by good people, a teaching job that I loved, an abundance of all the good stuff.

It took me a few years to get my feet on the ground, to get stabilized, and try and put my life back together. The majority of my former friends and family kept their distance, looking back I understand that.

I took meds for about 15 years, found myself pretty well stabilized, and slowly reduced medication. In order to maintain serenity and stay healthy, there are a few things that I need to focus on.

First of all a daily exercise routine is so important, I have yoga buddies who meet with me daily to keep me on track. Keeping as much sugar and alcohol out of my diet and an abundance of vegetables, whole grains, beans, legumes, tofu, nuts and seeds, farm fresh eggs, and more leafy green vegetables. A serene environment means keeping the clutter at bay. And one of my best weapons against depression is stepping out into the world to take care of somebody else who might need their leaves raked, a trip to the grocery store or pharmacy, or just simple company. And there are a lot of people out there who are lonesome, in need of a listening ear, etc.

My shoulders aren’t big enough to carry everyone else’s troubles, but I’ve been able to find the people who benefit from a little bit of attention, a pick me up, or a batch of cookies.