Arthritis, Depression and Seasonal Affective Disorder SAD
December 4, 2009 by admin
Filed under depression
Depression is a deep rooted problem, but for some they tend to suffer more this time of year from seasonal affectice disoreder, SAD for short. This is a disorder millions of people suffer with when they do not get enough sinlight and the grey skies make them feel really down.
Our body has a cycle called the carcadian clock, we wind down with the dark and our brain wants to start functioning with the light, but in the winter and especially when the closcjs change this rythm is completely out of balance and we can feel really out of sorts. We need to have several hours of natural light a day to function well and keep the blues away but we cannot just make it sunny and unless we live really close to the equator that is not going to happen.
In order to correct this light therapy has been used for years, it can been switched on in the morning and have it close to us while we are reading or having breakfast which gives us a does of the light we need, it can be used again later until early afternoon but not at night as our rythm is beginning to slow down.
Below is a sample of a therapy light but there are literally hundreds to choose from, so click on the icon and have a look to see what this wonderful company has to offer. Thet probably have one of the largest selections I have seen; there is anything form a small book light to much larger units to add light to a room, and if you know of anyone who suffers with the winter blues it makes the perfect gift.
I’ve heard that blue light therapy boxes are more effective than the original broad spectrum boxes. However, with one of those you need to be even more careful about not looking at the light directly as it can be damaging to the eyes—of course, who really stares at a light bulb anyway?
I’ve been reading up on what’s available and am amazed at the number of new styles and designs that have come out over the years. And now LEDs have entered the phototherapy scene as well, offering lighter weights, more precise wave lengths, and energy efficiency. Quality of light boxes vary, so check for a high intensity that extends one or two feet from the source, and low UV emissions.