For sufferers of Bipolar disorder the cycle of ups and downs that characterise the illness can be one of its most frustrating and disruptive aspects. Minimising the negative and potentially dangerous effects of Bipolar's emotional rollercoaster is critical and should be a priority for every sufferer. Research suggests that one way to do this is to keep your body active with exercise. A healthy, fit and active body helps stabilise mood and generates a greater overall sense of well-being. Reaping the benefits of an active body can be as simple as introducing regular exercise into your daily routine, getting involved in healthy activities that get your body moving, and making smart choices about how you go about your day.

Exercise doesn't have to be extreme in order for you to experience its benefits. Lower impact activities like walking, swimming or bike riding are good places to begin if you're just starting out. Once you're comfortable and confident, you can try more challenging forms of exercise like jogging, rowing, skipping, or gym workouts. Or you might prefer workouts like Pilates, yoga, boxercise or Spin classes. The most important thing is that you're getting your body moving regularly and experiencing the numerous benefits of being physically active, including greater emotional stability and evenness across moods - both of which make Bipolar more manageable.

Keeping your body active isn't just about exercise though. It's also about making smart choices regarding how you go about your day. Activities that don't necessarily feel like exercise but come with all the benefits of exercise include dancing, bushwalking, sight-seeing, walking your dog, and bike riding - basically anything that gets you up and moving around! Even choosing to walk places instead of driving or taking a bus is a healthy choice to keep your body active and promote more even moods. By opting for physical activities over sedentary pursuits like watching TV and driving to the shop, you'll find that your overall fitness level will improve, your moods will even out, and the ups and downs of Bipolar will be a little easier to negotiate.

If motivation for exercise is hard to muster, then the encouraging atmosphere found in group activities and team sports might be for you. Football, soccer, basketball, netball, cricket - to name just a few - all provide fantastic opportunities for group interaction and working up a sweat. The social aspect of group participation, with its knack for pushing you to achieve beyond your own expectations, can also help maintain a positive mood, ward off negative thoughts, and facilitate greater emotional stability.

Minimising the negative affects of Bipolar's ups and downs can be as easy keeping physically active. Regular exercise, group activities, and healthy lifestyle choices should all be part of your Bipolar management strategy. It's important to remember however, that before engaging in exercise or strenuous physical activity you should always consult a healthcare professional. With proper medical guidance, a medication plan, and a concerted effort on your part to keep physically active, you can be more successful in controlling Bipolar's mood swings and in achieving greater balance and positivity in your life.