Why smiles are better than Prozac

Government scientist claims lifestyle changes can be as effective as drugs for depression Want to feel happier? Then smile, eat seaweed, get a new hairstyle, send fewer emails, go dancing, spend less money - and don't just pop pills. Or so says one of the country's most eminent scientists. In a controversial new book, Professor Jane Plant, a chief scientific adviser to the government, proposes a raft of unorthodox treatments for the millions of Britons who suffer from anxiety, stress and depression. Instead of just popping 'happy pills' such as Prozac to beat the blues, Plant and her co-author, Janet Stephenson, advise sufferers to take steps such as avoiding dairy products, sending fewer text messages, eating porridge at night and playing card games. They say all their tips are based on hard scientific evidence gathered from... [read full story]