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Don't be SAD During the Winter Months

"Wherever you go, no matter what the weather, always bring your own sunshine."
                   - Anthony J. D'Angelo, The College Blue Book

Throughout the millennia, mankind have lived and evolved with the day-night cycle of the earth.  Over time, man has synchronized his internal body cycle to the sun and moon, day and night.  Most people, like many animals of the world, sleep when it's dark and are awake and alert during the day.

But alas, with the introduction of the modern industrial age there also came the modern industrial behavior of humans.  This behavior would lead to an increasing loss of  enjoying and receiving the benefits of daylight due to people living in unnaturally darkened housing, working inside buildings and offices beneath candescent and fluorescent lighting or working second and third shifts during night hours, subsequently sleeping during the day.  This type of alternate day-night cycle behavior can create daylight deprivation which can manifest as physical and emotional problems, insomnia issues, depressed mood, inability to concentrate, fatigue, and other abnormal conditions.

When some people experience such behaviors during the darkened winter months, they do suffer a real problem.  According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th ed., (DSM-IV), it "categorizes seasonal affective disorder (SAD) not as a unique mood disorder, but as a specifier of major depression.  Thus, patients with SAD experience episodes of major depression that tend to recur at specific times of the year. These seasonal episodes may take the form of major depressive or bipolar disorders." 

Not everyone who experiences some symptoms is necessarily charging toward major depression, but people can become sad and anxious due to SAD.  When people do start to feel lethargic during the changing of the seasons into the winter months, they may have trouble waking up or wanting to get out of bed or may even crave heavier carbohydrate laden food.  This can be a pre-warning that the winter doldrums are starting to set in.  As the weeks pass, chronic low mood, not enjoying the usual fun activities, the difficulty of concentrating at work, etc., may increase during January and February.  As the sun appears more often and the temperatures start to warm up in May, and as the earth starts to bud and grow again, so will the positive mental outlook of the 10 to 12 million SAD induced individuals. 

Bright light therapy is a way to diminish the symptoms of SAD and Delayed Sleep Phase Syndrome (DSPS).  Bright light therapy is very simple to administer, just flick a switch. Rehabmart carries such switches that are connected to natural spectrum light lamps.  The following lamps and lights are a few of the products offered by Rehabmart to help battle the seasonal affective disorder symptoms.

       The Verilux Happy Light 6000 Sunshine Supplement Light System can deliver healthy, sunshine-like light for the improvement of an individual's overall mood, energy, and concentration.  This light system offers 6,000 LUX of healthy light which activates the body's natural mood enhancers and our Circadian Rhythm without the harmful UV rays.  This and other such lights can be passively used while a person is working on their computer, reading books and newspapers, or even watching television.  The beauty of using such lamps and light is the possibility of improving the individual's physical energy and to help create a positive mood naturally without using drugs or other artificial products.

       The Verilux HappyLite Deluxe Full Spectrum Light Therapy System is similar to the light system above, but offers a full 10,000 LUX of Full Spectrum light without the harmful UV rays.  This light can be conveniently hung on a wall or be situated on a table or kitchen/bathroom counter.

"The sun lay like a friendly arm across her shoulder." 
                               -  Margorie Kinnan Rawlings, South Moon Under

        The DayLight Bright Light Therapy System also provides a break from SAD with its three 36 watt bulbs which deliver 10,000 LUX from the optimal distance of twelve inches to receive the proper intensity of light therapy.  The adjustable legs of the light helps the light source to be angled to mimic outdoor sunlight. The high-impact polycarbonate lens helps filter over 99% of the harmful UV rays while softening the impact of bright glare.  This light is also manufactured to eliminate the annoying flicker experienced with most ordinary florescent lights.  The two-way switch on the light makes this a three bulb bright light therapy system or a normal two light bulb lamp for other uses.

       The last example is the DIA Naturebright Light Therapy that uses a Day-Light Sky Bright Light Therapy System that works as both a therapy light and a regular task light.  This therapeutic system features the BrightZone Technology for a maximum 10,000 LUX output that covers a broad field of illumination.  This lamp is designed to provide treatment to specific conditions and meets the stringent bright light therapy guidelines which are provided by leading experts in the field of bright light therapy.  The size of the Day-Light Sky light is smaller, more discreet and perfect for the home or office.

Have a happy and bright Christmas!

Bill Stock
Library Editor for Rehabmart
and
Hulet Smith, OT
Rehabmart Team Leader & CEO

DISCLAIMER:  These statements are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.