We used to call it cabin fever.
Or the “winter blahs.”
Although common, the winter blues is not something to be taken lightly. Winter blues, winter depression or its technical term, seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a mood disorder that afflicts a person on a certain season such as winter.
People who are affected by seasonal affective disorder feel depressed, and a result, have difficulty going about their daily routine.
SAD sufferers often find it difficult to feel motivated at home and at work. They also tend to binge on food filled with carbohydrates, resulting to weight gain. Other symptoms of seasonal affective disorder include morning sickness, feelings of hopelessness and withdrawal from family and friends.
There are several treatments to combat SAD, and one of the most effective treatments is seasonal affective disorder light therapy. Since it is argued that the lack of light during winter months alters the melatonin secretion in a body, thus triggering SAD.
Seasonal affective disorder light therapy is an effective way to balance out the disorder.
During seasonal affective disorder light therapy, the patient sits near a light therapy box (ideally at about a one to three foot distance). The patient’s eyes are open but not directly looking at the light therapy box during the session. In seasonal affective disorder light therapy, there are a variety of lightboxes that can be used.
One very popular lightbox is made up of blue light with a 480 nm wavelength at 2,500 lux. Other seasonal affective disorder light therapy lightboxes are comprised of green light with a 500 nm wavelength at 350 lux.
Which is the best? Among the two seasonal affective disorder light therapy, the blue lightbox is probably the most commonly used and has the longer track record for being effective. However, there are more recent studies that contend that the green lightbox is the more effective of the two. In other words, they both work!
Here’s how: Seasonal affective disorder light therapy targets the chemicals in the brain that affect our mood. Not only is it effective in minimizing SAD symptoms, but it also has been used in the treatment of insomnia and non-seasonal depression. Naturally, it is always important to seek the advice of a certified physician for serious bouts of depression or insomnia.
But for most of us suffering those winter blahs or cabin fever, seasonal affective disorder light therapy can be a great way to get that smile and vitality back. Please browse our product reviews, our blog and don’t hesitate to contact us with questions or comments.
