近年，不同的國際臨床指引主張生活方式評估和治療是精神健康服務的基礎，可被視為精神健康服務的第一步（sequential approach），或與心理治療、藥物治療或與其他治療配合以改善抑鬱症 （adjunctive approach) 。以生活醫學為基礎的心理治療包含評估和治療兩大元素，透過改變影響健康的生活習慣以達致預防和治療精神病，以及促進復元過程。

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以下的臨床指引收集了現時的研究證據，並以一個有系統的評級機制嚴格評估這些研究證據，旨在為以生活醫學管理抑鬱症的專業醫護人員提供最新且有研究實證的資訊，以及於實踐上的一般建議和方向。這些指引涵蓋了一系列以生活醫學概念為基礎的治療，包括： （ 1 ）運動和體能活動、 （ 2 ）戒煙 、 （ 3 ）工作及參與義工活動、 （ 4 ）靜觀和壓力管理、（ 5 ）飲食和營養、 （ 6 ）睡眠管理 、（ 7 ）孤獨感及社交支持，以及（ 8 ）綠色和藍色空間概念。

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There are increasingly more international clinical guidelines suggesting that lifestyle-based approaches should form a foundational level of mental health management within healthcare systems, or serve as an adjunctive approach to manage Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). Lifestyle-based mental health care includes two major elements - assessment and intervention of the lifestyle determinants of health in the prevention, recovery and treatment of mental disorders. 

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The clinical guidelines below are based on a synthesis of current scientific evidence, rigorously evaluated using a systematic grading system, which determined the strength of recommendations. These guidelines aim to offer healthcare professionals up-to-date evidence-based information on the management of major depressive disorder (MDD) using lifestyle-based approaches, providing broad recommendations and guidiance. The guidelines below considered these lifestyle-based interventions: nutrition, physical activity and exercise, sleep, social connection, natural environments, reducing substances and screens, engaging with work and volunteering, and stress management and relaxation practices including mindfulness and meditation practices.