3 Simple Depression Prevention Tips
Updated: Nov. 24, 2019
If you’ve suffered from depression before, there’s a high chance of it returning. These 3 ways of preventing future bouts will decrease those odds.
How to Prevent Depression: Stay on Your Antidepressants
Once you start taking an antidepressant, continue to do so for at least six months after you feel better to reduce your risk of relapse—and don’t stop taking it without your doctor’s okay. Once you are feeling better, you may feel “cured” and tempted to stop taking medication. Continuing on with your medication will, in the long run, better your chances of feeling better for longer. Your doctor will talk to you about when and how to stop; some medications have negative side effects if you stop taking them abruptly.
How to Prevent Depression: Learn to Relax
Stress can lead to and worsen depression, so practice relaxation techniques on a regular basis. There are a variety of different techniques to try to figure out what works best for you—these include yoga, meditation, listening to soft music and taking warm baths. Reduce stressors in your life as much as possible as a step in preventing future bouts of depression.
How to Prevent Depression: Follow a Mood-Friendly Diet
A mood-friendly diet includes plenty of foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids (specifically, flaxseeds, flaxseed oil and cold-water fish). If you’re finding it difficult to eat foods high in omega-3, consider taking a supplement. Keep simple sugars, alcohol and caffeine to a minimum. A mood-friendly diet is not only important when you are feeling depressed; if you are prone to depression, keeping to this type of diet even when you’re feeling “up” could help prevent depression.
