Be Aware of Your Thoughts

• According to a team of scientists who wrote a paper titled "Prevention of Relapse/Recurrence in Major Depression by Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy," patients who make an effort to recognize unhealthful thought patterns were less likely to relapse than those who did not. The authors of the paper suggested a technique called mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. Patients were encouraged to be aware of the negative thoughts that usually triggered a depressive episode and to detach from them, to realize that those thoughts are not facts and not to get tangled up in them.
  
  

Exercise

• The Mayo Clinic recommends exercise as a tool for dealing with depression. It's best to exercise at least three to five times a week for 30 minutes, but smaller doses will help. Exercise helps in many ways: it releases mood-enhancing neurotransmitters in the brain, elevates the level of feel-good endorphins and reduces levels of the stress hormone cortisol. For best results, choose exercise that you enjoy. Gardening, walking alone or with a partner, exercise class, swimming or biking are all good choices.
  
  

Be Social

• Since depression often causes a person to want to isolate himself, it's important to be around people. Interact with positive, supportive people. Build a social network and cultivate healthful relationships. Show your appreciation for others, offer to help them when you can and plan fun activities to do with friends.
  By taking these steps, you can help prevent depression from reoccurring. If you do start to feel depressed, however, don't hesitate to seek medical help.