Tips to reduce depression

• Sweat exercise: Do any form of aerobic exercise - such as brisk walking, biking, or running in place—until you work up a healthy sweat.

• Turn on your favorite music and dance, dance, dance—until you work up a sweat.

• Sing in the shower.

• Instead of listening to the radio or talking on your cell phone, roll up the car windows and sing loudly.

• Get a dog or other pet—or simply visit a pet store to boost your spirits.

• Plant and tend a garden—an herb garden takes up very little space.

• If you are really upset, take a brisk walk and focus exclusively on the physical and emotional sensations you experience in your body. Stay out of your head—no thoughts allowed!

• Rent funny videos or see funny movies and plays.

• Go to the store and read all the humorous greeting cards.

• Treat your self to a great cup of coffee—if you take half-decaf and half regular, you can have two cups a day (too much caffeine can bring you down, but one cup is safe enough).

• Let nature bring you up—walk by the ocean or other waterways, hike the hills and forests.

• Draw, paint, or write.

• Avoid foods that zap your energy—for most people, sugar and pasta can be downers.

• Give yourself a hand or foot massage, or go get a back rub or body massage.

• Take a hot bubble bath with candles and music in the room.