Do you know how to Box Breathe? This is when you inhale, hold, exhale, and hold, doing each step for 4 seconds. This is my LEAST favourite way to breathe – it makes me feel lightheaded and like I’m about to hyperventilate. So, I don’t do it. If I have a few minutes to reallyContinue reading “Breathing Techniques”
Category Archives: bipolar
Cakes!
When my kids were little, I wrote a parenting blog. And we used to bake. Right now it’s hypo/mania season in our house, which coincides with birthday season. While I don’t bake as much these days, I like to celebrate my not-so-little ones on their special days, with a special cake. I thought I’d shareContinue reading “Cakes!”
Braid Waves
This excerpt was cut from Crazy, my memoir about being diagnosed with bipolar 1 during an extreme manic episode, the psych ward and healthcare system, and my recovery. As per Virginia Woolf, “In expressing it I explained it and then laid it to rest.” To learn more about my memoir, visit charisejewell.com/crazy. ∞∞∞ Slender fingers slideContinue reading “Braid Waves”
Bipolar Warning Signs
I’m often asked if there were any warning signs of my mental illness before my bipolar 1 diagnosis at age 40, when I experienced my first manic episode and hospitalization. Prior to mania, I had a history of seasonal depression and occasional depressive episodes, which were always related to something upsetting in my life atContinue reading “Bipolar Warning Signs”
Mania info and support
The first step to support someone with bipolar disorder is to learn as much as you can. I hope this collection of my mania articles and posts helps. Viewed best in a web browser. Social media posts: March 20, 2023: Spring Mania We made it through winter! Next challenge: don’t go manic 😂 This isContinue reading “Mania info and support”
Hypo/Mania Prep
Every year around this time I come out of my hibernation cocoon. I clean the house, photograph the tulips, and feel better than I’ve felt for months. For six months, since the bitter winter and shorter days began. I work to prevent depression through winter, so the joyful spring vibe is a welcome relief. UntilContinue reading “Hypo/Mania Prep”
Protected: Bins
There is no excerpt because this is a protected post.
Self Care Box
When we’re stressed, it’s very difficult to think of how to feel better in the moment. A self care box that you put together with your favourite items (when you’re NOT stressed) helps immensely because it is filled with things that bring you joy AND it takes all of the thinking out of the criticalContinue reading “Self Care Box”
Reviews for Crazy
Reviews are incredibly valuable to authors. They provide feedback for our work and generate buzz to attract new readers. Thank you to those who have reviewed Crazy, Memoir of a Mom Gone Mad. Quotes from some of the reviews are displayed below. To rate or leave your own review, click here.
Perks for VIPs
Today marks six months since my book launch. To celebrate, I created a newsletter. This is for VIPs (aka email subscribers), who have access to bonus content, sneak previews, and book giveaways! To subscribe, submit your email address in the field at the bottom of this page, or contact me. Crazy, Memoir of a MomContinue reading “Perks for VIPs”
