Link between caffeine and depression? Alternatives to caffeine for staying alert?

My job requires that I be very focused and analytical at key times, often not of my choosing. I often use caffeine to get myself in the frame of mind to do my job. At various times, I've weaned myself off caffeine, but I it always seems like I "must" rely on it during hectic and crisis times. The problem is that I often crash physically, psychologically and emotionally really hard afterwards, both after I get home from work and especially after the crunch time is over. Like I said, my job is such I often can't choose when I need to be alert and sharp, so general routines of exercise, plenty of sleep, etc, don't seem like they are enough come crunch time, because they are often the aspects that get compromised. Any recommendations for breaking the cycle? Any recommended readings, practices, etc.?

I really do not believe that it is the coffee/caffeine that is making you crash. From the sounds of it, it probably doesn't have a thing to do with it.

The reason YOU are crashing and feeling alittle depressed is from STRESS mainly, and then add in the lack of sleep, the lack of exercise.

I think that if I were you that I would be taking vitamins and drinking those power drinks.
But I really seriously think caffeine is NOT your culprit.

Bingo. smart question.


invest in Multi-source green powder supplement, take 1 tablespoon in AM, one in early afternoon, and 1 in late afternoon if you have to stay late.

but do see some sunshine.

sir 4 what this is worth my dad was a trucker 4 yrssssssss and he swore that chewing gum helped him to stay awake and alert !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

NOT READINGS NOR PRACTICES...OTHER THAN OUT LOUD STATEMENTS THAT ARE POSITIVE ABOUT YOURSELF...EVENTUALLY YOU WILL BE CONVINCED OF THEM..... GET QUEEN BEE ROYAL JELLY ITS NATURAL 1000MGS ARE BEST THE JELLY AND THE PRODUCTS ARE A GREAT BOOST....THIS STUFF WORKS....GOOD LUCK

I don't think a bit of caffeine is bad for you. Coffee is actually very good for you.
WHat you need to do is not drink so much of it.
YOu need to do it a lot less, that way after a while it takes less to get you buzzing again, it's just like any other drug in that way. Coffee is very useful for when you need it, you just have to do it correctly.

Well there is a vitamen supplement called Focus Factor, I recommend it also I'm like the B complex preacher of Yahoo today, but seriously it really is so effective I've been turning people on to it for years, The Stress complex is great., it is B and C... You know Ginsing is also an awesome thing if you get the high quality kind. My brother is so totally into tea he is like a connoseur of tea now and I must say it has a lot of antioxidant healthy pluses , He likes the green teas and the white teas with jasmine. And I have enjoyed these with him. Happy experimenting! Oh the Caffeine and depression question...well, I would be far more concerned about junk food and the lack of many essential vitamins and minerals in our genetically altered foods...A B vitamin deficiency can make a person very run down , Hope you have visited your doctor for a check up and don't just self diagnose or worse yet depend on Yahoo for your health's sake... you are worth it have a check -up and get plenty of sleep,fresh air and exercise and a balanced diet if you take a supplement take it in the AM because they can keep you awake.:)