How do you stay in touch with your spirituality if you're dealing with mental illness?

[slfcllednowhere]

Wondering if any of the mentally ill witches here can give me some insight into how to not let my illness make me lose touch with my spirituality. I'm bipolar, and I'm often severely depressed. I've had the idea of doing a ritual when I'm depressed just because I'm so happy and hopeful when I'm doing a ritual, but the truth is I don't feel

Comments

[summers_storm]

I also have bipolar disorder, and I struggle with feeling spiritually connected when I'm depressed or anxious as well. I don't really have any words of advice, but I wanted to let you know you're not alone.

skittenwitch's suggestion of guided meditation is something I find particularly useful. There are a bunch on YouTube (I'm particularly fond of Jason Stephenson, who is Australian and has a wonderfully soothing voice, in my opinion, and also The Honest Guys, who are British, but they are far from the only ones out there), and there are also a number of smartphone apps for guided meditation if you have a smartphone. There is also a smartphone app (for Android I know, and probably for Apple as well, but I have an Android so I don't know much about what's available for Apple devices) called Breathe that is just a customizable visual breathing exercise that I find useful when I'm feeling anxious.

Also, don't forget physical self-care. Eat nutritious food, stay hydrated, keep a reasonable sleep/wake schedule, that sort of thing. It's really easy for me when I get depressed to neglect my physical self-care.

I hope you feel better soon, and bright blessing.

[slfcllednowhere]

I think I will see about the guided mediation thing since two of y'all recommended it. And yes physical self-care is something I really neglect when I'm depressed too. It's hard to manage to do any of that, but I think you're right that it makes a big difference.