Preventing depression: what we can do to stay in a good mood

Depression is a widespread illness, especially in the darker months of the year when many people have gloomy thoughts. More than 25 percent of all Germans complain of symptoms of autumn/winter depression such as listlessness, depressed mood, persistent tiredness and increased cravings for sweets and carbohydrates. However, there are various ways to prevent depression. In particular, we can counteract so-called seasonal affective disorder (SAD).

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via Anna-Lisa
10/01/2018, 11:43
Es gibt Präventivmaßnahmen, die eine Depression verhindern können© iStock
A stable environment, enjoyable activities and plenty of sunlight can prevent fall-winter depression

Depression: Prevention can make many things easier

Preventing depression from occurring for the first time is not possible if the triggering factors have a traumatic background, for example if the depression is based on an experience of violence or the death of a loved one. The idea of being able to prevent depression can therefore only mean countering an illness diagnosed by a specialist with certain behavioral strategies. These strategies should ensure that no further depressive phases follow, or at least that they occur less frequently. As a general rule, people who have a stable family environment and an established circle of friends, who are not under great stress and who spend a lot of time doing things that give them fulfillment and joy, have a lower risk of strokes of fate leading to depression.

Preventing or alleviating depression - how can this work?

People who suffer from depression initially have the following problem: they do not know what is actually threatening them and where this threat comes from. With expert guidance, it is important to recognize which factors trigger the depression. Once the "enemy" of the psyche is known, this knowledge can in many cases prevent further episodes of depression.

It is easier to prevent and treat the very common autumn/winter depression that affects many people in Germany during the darker months of the year. Almost one in four people in Germany suffer from tiredness and listlessness in winter, which can turn into seasonal depression. Some people even need medical help as a result. For most sufferers, the bad mood is most pronounced in January and February - it almost always subsides by itself in March. The best way to prevent autumn-winter depression is with regular exercise in daylight. In severe cases, light therapy with special daylight lamps can also help. Surround yourself with invigorating colors such as orange and yellow. They are caresses for the soul and help to improve your mood. Fragrances can also help: The scent of bergamot and jasmine evokes memories of summer in our brains and immediately improves our mood.