We now have the Harvard Nurses' Health Study, a longitudinal study of 50,793 nurses, that report women who drank 4 cups of caffeinated coffee a day were 20% less likely to be diagnosed with depression or prescribed antidepressants over a 10 year period than women who drank 1 cup or less.  A protective effect?  Perhaps.  This result, as reported in the December 2011 issue of Monitor On Psychology, is consistent with other research showing lower suicide risk among people with higher coffee consumption.  

Michael Otto of Boston University remarks that "Failing to exercise when you feel bad is like explicitly not taking aspirin when your head hurts."  Reported in the December 2011 issue of Monitor On Psychology, we now have mounting research that supports the exercise-mental health connection.  After a stessful day, if you go to the gym, or take a walk or go for a run, you know your mood improves.  Active people tend to be less depressed than inactive people.  And remember, although medication is effective as well, NO withdrawal symptoms as when you quit taking the pills!