Winter Blahs

Seasonal Affect Disorder is real.... Harvard Medical School states this...

Seasonal affective disorder: When winter brings the blues

Many people feel sad when summer wanes, but some actually develop depression with the season's change. Known as seasonal affective disorder (SAD), this form of depression affects about 1% to 2% of the population, particularly women and young people.

SAD seems to be triggered by more limited exposure to daylight; typically it comes on during the fall or winter months and subsides in the spring. Symptoms are similar to general depression and include lethargy, loss of interest in once-pleasurable activities, irritability, inability to concentrate, and a change in sleeping patterns, appetite, or both.

To combat SAD, doctors suggest exercise, particularly outdoor activities during daylight hours. Exposing yourself to bright artificial light may also help. Light therapy, also called phototherapy, usually involves sitting close to a special light source that is far more intense than normal indoor light for 30 minutes every morning. The light must enter through your eyes to be effective; skin exposure has not been proven to work. Some people feel better after only one light treatment, but most people require at least a few days of treatment, and some need several weeks. You can buy boxes that emit the proper light intensity (10,000 lux) with a minimal amount of ultraviolet light without a prescription, but it is best to work with a professional who can monitor your response.

Seasonal Affect Disorder... Yes, I have this too. I have been diagnosed. It makes the winter a terrible time. Especially if you can't get out of the house. There have been some winters when it has been especially bad. I have one of the special light sources mentioned. It's called (and I'm not kidding you)a Happy Light. I sit by the "Happy Light" for about 15 minutes a day. It tricks my brain and makes my brain think there is more daylight than normal going on. Thu-sly, I can handle the winter season better and the lack of daylight. 

Before I used my happy light, going into winter I had a general decline and as the days started becoming longer, it was like coming out of the dark, literally. The days got longer and less dark and my mind became clearer and my mood lighter. Then the days not only became lighter, but warmer... I felt like a cat in a sun ray! Energy increased, mood increased. It was wonderful! 

I have also witnessed the results of light therapy on a patient. She wouldn't get out of bed, wouldn't eat, virtually was wasting away and disengaging from life. A physician that practiced outside the box, said, lets try light therapy. They started a large "happy light". Within a couple weeks (and keep in mind, she was very severe), she was eating again, getting out of bed and participating in life. 

Just something to consider if you feel more depressed in the winter. Happy Lights can cost as low as $20 or less! They can also cost significantly more.