Doppel for management of bipolar symptoms
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Sadhguru speaks on metal ring on ring finger to stabilize the system...
In the article linked above, Sadhguru briefly touches on the benefits of wearing metal on the ring finger and why this is important to functioning fully in the energetic world and important to remaining balanced as human. He is assured that wearing this ring while meditating or going into samadhi, one will never be imbalanced with energies in the body (and won't accidentally leave it unwittingly). This is quite compelling to me when I think of Doppel and bipolar disorder as a frequent energy disruptor and compounder. I think Doppel has many positive implications for most energetic medical challenges.
I have had mood challenges related to bipolar conditions and depression since 2013. After floating on many elated manias and trudging through many medicated mornings, it is clear to me that bipolar condition symptoms (while not totally natural) are a function of the body's energetic system and is related to external environmental conditions and not always best treated with strong anti-psychotics and mood-stabilizers. Five years I had taken these strong and potentially unsafe drugs to address the branches of my moodiness and not go for the roots. The roots of my moodiness as an early 20's young man is food, stimulants, exercise, hormones, community, relaxation and rest. Instead of guiding me to healthy and productive ventures and worthwhile creative outlets, my traditional psychologist/psychiatrist team was only willing to give me meds and talk through things enough to steer me away from my stimulant habits. I was so medicated up– a bundle of anxiety– that I never even felt comfortable enough with my doctors to really discuss the hang-ups in my mind. The real psychological work was inaccessible to me– feeling so uncomfortable and shamed as I did.
Today I have no psychiatrist and no longer take bipolar medications. I have assembled some functioning health with balance to my energies. But thinking back on my most challenging, nightmarish, supernatural experiences with elated moods or subdued moods, I wonder how much of a great asset Doppel is in the mix. Or the metal ring on the ring finger. When I first pre-ordered Doppel in 2016, it was inciting because of its naturally calming effect. I assumed Doppel's primary market was for bipolar adults like me or the adhd diagnosed– anyone who's concentration functions are strained (from any one of the basic imbalances: food, stimulants, exercise, hormones, community, relaxation and rest). I've considered Doppel to be used as an equalizer or as a measure of sustainability with regards to human energy throughout the day.
I wonder if, seeing the Doppel health gadget wearable gaining in popularity, we can see less manic-depressives stuck in the mental hospital, eager to get thrown a new med– any med– so they can be thrust back into the world as an independent agent who manages themselves without the proper help, coaching or tools to THRIVE. When management of our own energies is outsourced to medications, it is a dire situation that should not be permanent.
My old psychiatrist told me, "bipolar is something you'll be managing for the rest of your life." I don't think he was right and I'm not so convinced that I was diagnosed with it properly... I am 26 years old and, though I am grateful for what I've learned about myself by taking strong mood-stabilizers and anti-psychotic prescription pills for five years, I see that there are far more simplistic measures and strategies that can be allowed, recommended and encouraged for bypassing an emotional breakdown. Managing the external circumstances (triggers and stressors) is a must. Having a routine for rest and relaxation is a must. And just try falling apart with a functioning Doppel roped around your wrist: not possible!
Big love from around and above,
–Nicholas D.
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Thank you for sharing your story and the challenges you experienced. It’s really interesting to hear about your take on an energetic system. I agree although, strong medicated mood-stabilizers do help, they are are not necessarily the only solution for everyone experiencing bipolar symptoms. I have recently been introduced to Sadhguru and have been experimenting with doppel and meditation, so really thank you for sharing this!
It’s great to hear how far you’ve come since five years ago. We’ve spoken to so many people who are keen in agreement with your search for natural solutions and lifestyle changes, to treat the mental illnesses that they have been prescribed medication for, which although valuable, can come with a whole assortment of side effects.
It’s so inspiring that you’ve been on this journey and positively challenged the limitations your previous psychiatrist held you to. I think it’s important to be open to the help that is available and respect the different methods that help improve people’s lives, but so valuable to recognize what is not working for you and what you may have outgrown.
- Best Wishes
Hannah
doppel Community Manager
It would be great to hear more about your routine and any more tips and advice that you have to share!
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Thanks Hannah, for your kind response.
Again, this post is on the potential management of bipolar symptoms aside from using strong mood-altering medications. The things I'm writing below are what I've learned help me steady my mood shifts naturally and I've changed my attitude on several limiting beliefs I'd held through applying decent information and advice I've gathered over time. Anyone will have their own experiences and information to build upon. I'm not a doctor– less authority!
As a life-long musician and passionate creative, I can't say I have much of a routine with practice for anything (not even music), just a shifting series of healing habits that I always cycle back to, necessarily. And the advice I have to manage my "energetic system" isn't guaranteed to be universal (for everybody).
If I'm ever feeling unfortunately ungrateful or have narrowed my view to a place where the Big Picture is invisible (anxiety/worry), I'll act on one or more of the following energetic movements, immediately:- Get to nature. Nature with trees and dirt or better: to the beach– take a dive! But even just taking the shoes off to feel the grass or the sand or the water is a moment of "grounding". My body is of the Earth and the Earth and I both rejoice in direct contact.
- Make myself very cold– suddenly. Perhaps with a cold bath or cold shower. There are times when this wake-up for the nervous system is essential. A great teacher Wim Hoff says: "The cold is my only teacher". What a delightful lesson that I remember when I find myself shivering on a 5 degree Wisconsin day. And even that shivering can cease... shivering is often a wasted energy that ain't making me warmer!
- On a similar note, I take a warm Epsom Salt bath quite often. Epsom Salt contains magnesium which relaxes muscles. Enough Epsom will soothe the aches in my body and provide a little lasting peace and relief to my mind in turn.
- Spastic dance. I'm not a "sit cross-legged and be still" meditation sort-of guy. I'm familiar with the practice, but could never spare the negative guilt energy around "missing meditation"... Meditation knows me– I can carry it in the breath (called "vipassana"). Wakeful awareness is a lifestyle. I have taken much to OSHO's Active Meditations, which, to me, often play rhythmically like dance. In active meditation, I'll find myself laughing furiously or crying joyously in an epic climax. I call that healing! ...Never miss your moment to dance. At a crowded concert or with headphones at the park, you'll never regret closing your eyes and dancing– living– when you feel it's time. Confidence and courage may be needed but, since ditching the prescriptions, I've never missed an opportunity to dance when my body asks me to!! Crucial!
- Qi Gong is another kind of dancing, but Qi Gong is a subtle-energy balancing that is transformative and very pleasurable. Connecting with qi (pronounced: "chi") and understanding its motions in the body and how it energizes every joint, every organ, every capillary, is essential to longevity and healing. Tai Chi and Falun Gong are just two other styles of balancing qi energy. It is a harmonizing between the magnetic outer world and the magnetic inner.
- Eat slowly. If anyone were to ask about what mindfulness is or, for clarification on how to experience mindfulness, my go-to Word is some of the best advice I've ever heard: Eat slowly. The wisdom of this phrase is very potent when I sit down in front of a fine meal and find my mind is distant. Just look at the food and enjoy it completely before it ever jumps into your mouth. It's out of style over here, but I do "say grace" before meals and snacks... I'll take that moment. Everything's good. No danger, no struggle.
I've enjoyed writing a little bit about what brings me most healing in times of "disorder" (forgive the pun). Thanks Hannah for the awesome prompt! What are some of your most healing routines and positive habits? Is there a positive healing practice that you have yet to incorporate but might enjoy studying and learning more about soon?
With gratitude,
–Nicholas D. -
Hey Nicholas,
This is amazing! I really enjoyed reading this - I’m inspired to try some of these processes now. That’s cool that you’re a musician. What sort of music do you create?
I appreciate your preface of not being a doctor, this is all about experiences, and professional help is incredibly important. People’s experiences can be so different and I am very keen on having a “toolkit” for wellness, there isn’t a one size fits all solution for a single of my moods let alone for the experience of an entire symptom or problem for different individuals.
My positive habits
So, my new “new years habit” (I don’t like to call them resolutions) was to generate a night time routine and stick to it. So far it’s not really gone to plan and my evenings are a bit all over the place, but I am still determined.
Optimistically, I do have a morning routine which I stick to 70% of the time, and I notice the difference in my day. I like to keep it quite mindful by meditating for 10-20 mins and then having a warm drink - usually a peppermint tea, to practice being present, focusing on enjoying the experience of drinking my tea. I guess quite similar to your regime of eating slowly. I write five things that I am grateful for, review my long term goals and write down my intentions for the day. I go over some positive, motivating affirmations and then that wraps up the mindful part of my morning.
Challenges
There are some days I slip up, usually when I’ve had a particularly late night or when I go to the gym very early in the morning. Sometimes, I wake up early enough to do all those processes, sometimes I run a little late, and I can only do some or none at all.
Now that I use doppel it’s pretty cool that I get the calming effect that this routine gives me - when I don’t have the luxury of time to do all of those processes. Things like the affirmations are really great for self-belief and motivation, so I do need to be a bit more dedicated but sometimes easier said than done.
Over the Christmas period, I was super busy and there were a lot of late nights. I was mainly using doppel for waking up, but now I’m trying to go back to experimenting with feeling calm.
Going forward
It’s quite interesting to learn about the concept of making yourself cold. Being based in a cold city this already makes me shudder, but I definitely understand the logic behind it - I’m open to giving that a go.
I definitely resonate with the premise of getting out in nature, and I have a tonne of Epsom salts so I think I’d quite like to add this to my evening routine. Again, it’s all about scarcity of time at night for me, but I want to start making the time - let’s see how it goes.
In terms of learning more about things, I do love keeping up to date with scientific studies and research within the wellness sector. I’d like to start learning a bit more about nutrition and advancing my practice in yoga and meditation. You mentioned limiting beliefs, and I’ve just started trying to identify my own. It’s definitely a process to change old thought patterns.
It’s awesome that you enjoyed writing about your regime because I enjoyed reading it and it also felt quite therapeutic writing my own. It’s nice to write things down. I’ve found recognizing the ways in which I am responsible for myself, and my well being is quite empowering.
Thanks for sharing, please keep in touch and continue sharing freely I’ve learned a lot and I think other’s will too!
Best Wishes,
Hannah
doppel Community Manager
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