Mania Recipe
This is an all-or-nothing proposition. Remember that the recipe for Depression includes "Come down from a Mania". I can not allow a manic period to be unproductive / overly scattered / destructive. If I accomplish all or most of what I set out to do in my high-mode, I may avoid a serious down-turn when the hormones / neurotransmitters "dry up". If I screw it up, I will sink deep and fast. With that said:
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First, sleep deprive myself. -
Second, choose a specific soundtrack and play it on a loop. -
(Must be a combination of intense, sorta-spooky ballads and faster bluegrass and pop/rock.) -
Keep the house temperature on the cool side. -
Shower, don’t bathe. -
Eat lightly / sugary / carby. -
Banish my loved ones to their rooms. -
Keep bright lights on. -
Have a couple of beers and then switch to lots of iced coffee, water and diet pepsi. -
Keep moving. -
Do not read or write. -
Do not watch television or allow it to be on in the background. -
Take preemptive painkillers (avoid back pain, stiffness) -
Avoid long periods of sitting (be careful of bills, budgeting, calendar stuff) -
Sleep little and only after dark. -
Have sex.
Warnings:
- Don't talk to friends and family much. (They can bring me down, with the best of intentions.)
- Don't ask anyone to help me; keep them hidden. (Resentment surfaces and I get very demanding)
- Don't go out with the girls. (I can slip into a very different place and acheive nothing...'tho it is fun.)
- Don't shop. (LOTS-o-$ has "dissapeared" that way.) Send R-- to do required shopping.
- Don't panic. Just follow the rules and trust my safety net.
- Work one room / section / project at a time. (Do not tear the whole thing up and then get distracted.)
- Complete ONLY what is on the list.
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I haven't been able to hold this state for more than 2-4 days in these last years. Finish Fast.