There have been many benefits to stretching your body listed/ discussed on the many health and wellness websites and in the fitness publications:                (these are in no particular order)

• Increased flexibility
  
  
• Reduces likelihood of injury
  
  
• Reduces back pain
  
  
• Improves balance and coordination
  
  
• Increases energy level
  
  
• Improves circulation
  
  
• Improves posture
  
  
• Promotes relaxation and stress relief
  
  

Stretching is beneficial at all ages!

From a behavioral health perspective, “stretching” in our lives is important.  We can become stuck in our routine and get more sedentary which places us at risk of physical, cognitive and emotional decline.  Major Depression is the leading cause of disability in the United States for ages 15-44.  The statistics vary depending on the agency, survey and type of survey; but, about 8% of the US population experience clinical depression in a given year.  Lifetime prevalence is often reported around 20% - percentage of all people who will experience clinical depression at some time in their life.

There are effective treatments for depression, but “behavioral activation” is frequently recommended in the course of treatment.  This means that a person needs to get “moving” and engage in activities they previously found of interest or that they might find interesting.  The person needs to do this whether they “feel” like it or not and they may not for some time, so perseverance is key.  Maybe what one used to enjoy is no longer available or they are not physically

- then the task is to take on the adventure of “stretching” and trying out different things with the end goal being the development of new interests.

Get some emotional and behavioral flexibility; find some balance in work and family; increase your social circulation; hold your head up (posture!); and increase your emotional energy (smile on purpose)!

Examples:

• Read a book/ Research a famous person of history
• Take a gym class/ yoga/ karate
• Attend a social function or sporting event
• Attend a church service
• Visit a museum
• Visit/ call a friend and offer encouragement
• Volunteer
• Cook a new recipe
• Take a college course/ audit a class
  

There are too many things to do to be bored or in a rut.  There are too many ways to add value to others and in so doing add value to yourself.

Happiness (it is impossible to be depressed when you are happy, by the way) is engaging in those activities that you find satisfying and meaningful.

Life is short!  It is meant to be lived! Carpe Diem!  Stretch yourself!

Presently much conversation is being made about suicide with the death of Robin Williams.  We often have difficulty understanding when from the outside we are looking in and it seems as though he had everything. Mental Illness/ substance use disorders, however, knows no socio-economical boundaries.  Mental Illness/ substance use disorders do not discriminate in favor of talented people. Mental Illness/ substance use disorders can affect anyone.

I am not a fan of the pharmaceutical company advertisements of psychotropic medications, but they do have it right about the pain of depression.  It hurts.  Anxiety is also a very painful experience.  It is highly common for both of these to occur together.  Additionally, it has long been reported that about half the people with substance use disorders also experience a diagnosable mental disorder and vice versa.

This is not the time for us spread more mystery, disbelief and shame thereby adding to the stigma that only adds to the loneliness and further discourages people from seeking treatment.  This is a time for us to get more aware that many of our fellow brothers and sisters are secretly suffering.  However, there are often signs to which we can pay attention: discontinuing engagement with friends and family (isolating), reduced interest in commonly enjoyed activities, talking about death/ suicide, telling people "good-bye", giving belongings away, hopelessness ("what's the use", "I am done", "nothing really matters anymore", "I don't matter"), increased substance use, increased anxiety (worry, panic, avoidant behavior), and even a general sense that someone you know is just not "right".

Even when you pay attention, you may miss it - after all, people often do a very good job of hiding and ultimately it is their responsibility to speak up and ask for help.  But asking for help is not easy, it actually takes great courage.  If it is you who is experiencing depression, anxiety and/or suicidal thoughts; speak up and seek help at the nearest Emergency Department.  If you do sense or notice that there may be something going on with someone else, your presence and concern can be invaluable.  Show your compassion.  TELL SOMEONE OF YOUR CONCERN!  Tell the person directly, a family member, a professional, school teacher, minister, etc.  You can be part of the solution.

Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK, which received over 1 million calls last year.