Meditation
People who meditate using a supervised mindfulness-based cognitive therapy approach may see a reduction in depression that directly correlates to how many days they meditate. The more they meditated, the fewer symptoms they had, according to a study published in 2013 in Behaviour Research and Therapy.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
People with bipolar disorder may have extra motivation to start eating more fish that are heavy in omega-3s, such as salmon, mackerel, and sardines, or they may want to consider taking omega-3 supplements. That’s because the anti-inflammatory effects of omega-3 fatty acids could help regulate mood, according to research published in 2015 in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition.
Light Therapy
People with bipolar disorder may have interrupted circadian rhythms, which means their daily biological clock isn’t working well. A number of strategies may help to reset this internal clock and improve bipolar management, according to a 2012 research review published in Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience. These include timed exposure to periods of light and darkness and a forced change in sleep times. Be sure to discuss these or other similar strategies with your doctor before you try them on your own.
Interpersonal and Social Rhythm Therapy
This technique teaches people with bipolar disorder to maintain a more regular schedule in all aspects of life, including sleeping, waking, eating, and exercise. It has been shown to improve daily functioning, according to a study published in 2015 in Bipolar Disorders.