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to raise your spirits. Take 10 to 15 minutes to stretch when you wake up and before you go to bed. Develop a routine and stretch your legs, back, and arms. Stretching regularly can energize your body, increase blood flow to your muscles, and help relieve symptoms of anxiety and depression. Since it might be hard to get motivated enough to exercise, stretching can be a good way to get moving if you’re depressed. Set aside about 15 minutes of time free of distractions. Find a comfortable place to sit, close your eyes, and take several slow, deep breaths. Inhale and tense one muscle group, such as your toes, then hold the tension for about five seconds. Let the tension go and relax the muscles as you exhale slowly. Notice the muscles go limp as the tension disappears. Repeat the process and work through the muscles in your legs, torso, arms, shoulders, neck, and head. From walking the dog to taking judo classes, aerobic exercise isn’t just good for your heart. It can reduce stress hormones and stimulate mood-elevating chemicals in your brain. Focusing on movement while you exercise also allows you to take a break from depression and any conflicts surrounding it. Having an exercise buddy can help keep you accountable on those days when you just want to stay in bed. Try to enlist a friend to help! Yoga involves meditation, physical exercise, and controlled breathing, so it can help ease both your mind and body. If you’re a beginner, look for classes at your local YMCA or yoga studio. You can also search for yoga videos on YouTube and health and fitness websites.
Stretch your muscles Try progressive muscle relaxation. Try to get daily aerobic exercise. Start doing yoga.