How to Avoid the Blues

While the jury is still out about to what extent the blues are a treatable illness or just a part of life, one thing is for sure: it's never fun having to deal with them. A number of treatment options exist for individuals suffering from depression, ranging from various kinds of therapy to pharmaceuticals, but the best medical strategy for depression, as with any other illness, is prevention. The best way to treat the blues is to avoid them, and leading a healthy, productive lifestyle can help you to do so.

Instructions

• 1

  Get enough sleep. According to Time Magazine, researchers have established clear links between bad sleep and depression. If you have trouble falling asleep, don't drink caffeine and try to make your bed as comfortable as possible. Try to create a nightly routine for yourself that includes relaxing activities such as reading or taking a bath.

• 2

  Eat well. You need to maintain a healthy diet if you want to keep the blues away. According to NaturalNews.com, certain foods help your body to combat depression. These include brown rice, brewer's yeast, whole-grain oats, cabbage, raw cacao, dark molasses and Brazil nuts. Try making yourself a breakfast salad with leftover fish, cabbage, cumin and other healthy ingredients to start your day off on the right foot.

• 3

  Make time for exercise. According to the Mayo Clinic, exercise releases neurotransmitters and endorphins, brain chemicals that can help to combat depression. Exercise also increases your body temperature, which can help to calm your body. Exercise helps you become more confident and often gives you the opportunity for increased social interaction.

• 4

  Engage in other meaningful activities you enjoy, whether this means spending a day fishing, watching a baseball game on television or re-reading your favorite novel. Giving yourself time to appreciate simple pleasures allows you to de-stress, which helps to combat depression.