To beat depression before it gets started it’s best to have a realistic view of yourself, others, your future, and the world in general. Most people think that being a a realist involves being negative. It is true that some people who are always positive are simply in denial. But it’s also true that many negative people never take the time to find the donkey at the bottom of the pile of manure. They also can’t be bothered with distinguishing between the negative facts and the negative factors that are more about their own perception of things.
But to really beat depression before it starts one must not simply be a realist. One must have a mind that dwells more on the positive facts than the negative ones.