Seasonal affective disorder (SAD), (aka: winter depression, winter blues, summer depression, summertime sadness, or seasonal depression), is a mood disorder subset in which people who have normal mental health throughout most of the year experience depressive symptoms in the winter or summer.
In 1984, a paper defining Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) described bright artificial light as a treatment for winter depression. Experts hypothesized that lengthening the daily photoperiod (ie: simulate a summer day in the northern hemisphere) would lead to remission of symptoms.
Expose yourself to light, every day for about 45 minutes, before 8 AM. Light affects the part of your brain that controls your body’s internal clock. It could take a few weeks before the light kicks in and helps your mood and it doesn't work for everyone. Seasonal Affective Disorder starts to fade off in April or May.
White light of all your electronic devices signal your brain to produce energy, not ideal just before bedtime. A few cool, new light gadgets are being developed:
First there's ARIO, with their self-described, "world's first healthy connected lamp," which changes light color and direction as the day progresses. In the morning it shines bright, energizing blue-rich light and as the sun sets, the light color changes to a melatonin producting relaxing amber, supposedly to help you sleep. The light mimics movement and casts up in the morning and down in the evening. Ario developed this using research from Harvard Medical School, NASA, and the National Institute of Health.
Then there's C by GE. A smart LED light bulb which claims to adjust your circadian rhythm and help with sleep. Their line is, "bulbs that go together like day and night, and make it simple to get light that always feels good."
There are numerous light therapy products on the market and a quick Amazon search will turn up several options. They range from crazy looking light boxes to bulbs that turn and change color linked via WiFi. Do your own searches and decide what's right for you
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