Bipolar disorder and Swimming

Many of us affected by bipolar disorder also suffer from a high degree of anxiety. To deal with this anxiety people have found different ways to treat this emotion. Some people find peace by staying at home and only traveling through places that are considered safe. Other people find reading books, practicing yoga or partaking in household duties within their own homes. When we are depressed we must make use of our time by staying within a peaceful environment. All such activities prepare for the times when our patience and strength is reckoned with.

When we are severely depressed we may sometimes feel that activities that we once found enjoyable are now mundane. But this is fine because we can then just lie down and curse the world in peace. If we have a person to support us when we are awake, we can release this anger without hurting any of our emotions. If we do not have someone with us it may help to buy a punch-bag. It is good to find a therapist that is located in the safe part of the city. However some people may not have the financial opportunities to find a therapist in a considerably safe area so therefore I advise that you take somebody with you. Fast recovery can only be fast if you are with someone you trust and if you expose yourself to the outside world. When it all comes down to it, we are alone and we must not forget that we have to learn how to deal with spheres other than our own.


Learning to deal with the outside world is like learning how to swim in the deep end of the swimming pool. We first gather our strength in the shallow end, then move to the deep-end by holding onto the sides and then we start swimming. Why, we might even be able to dive to the bottom later on. What I am trying to imply is that in a swimming pool everything is controlled and safe-checked. We have our family or friends waiting on the sides making sure that we don't drown and we have complete trust in them. Once we decide to go to the beach and swim in the sea that is when we are most challenged.

Going to the beach for the bipolar person is like trying to handle their own business in the real world. As we begin to head towards the deep-end of the sea, the waves constantly push us back but we have to stand firm and take the impact without falling over. We feel cold but the sea forces us to walk slowly. Just like being in the sea, in life people try to push us back into depression but our family and friends will always be waiting on the beach watching us. Sometimes we have to step on stones but we have to move our feet off them as quickly as possible. Every sea is different of course but it all depends on how safe you want to be. At this stage we just let ourselves float in the water and swim a little without fear for our own life.

Coming back to traveling in safe areas and choosing a therapist in a safe location we must be aware of the currents and potential whirlpools. Life is like swimming in the sea and we have to choose the parts where we feel we can swim without fear. Bipolar people prefer to swim in shallow waters where the currents are smooth and safe. However some people handle these waters differently. Some like to surf in highly dangerous areas, others surf in moderately dangerous areas. Surfers are like the CEOs of the real world as they are constantly challenging and experimenting with the way of nature (life).


I have tried to explain a metaphor for the way bipolar people and many others can perceive life like swimming in the water. Not everyone can swim, but they can learn quite easily. Choose your waters wisely. Don't dive in the ocean before swimming in the pool.