Light Therapy for Winter Blues

I used to get down every single winter. For a long while, I thought I was just miserable at school or having a hard time growing up. But once I reached college, I noticed that I had a real hard time when I didn't get enough sunlight. This was especially true my Freshman year in college when there were days when I would miss daylight altogether.

My greatest discovery, other than a regular schedule and exercise, was the value of a bright light. A month ago, I purchased a Verilux Sun Lamp. This brilliant fixture shoots out 10,000 lux of light. That's equivalent to the sun on a sunny day.

If you get the winter blues, I would highly recommend investing in one of these. Sitting in front of it for 10 minutes in the morning on a cloudy day can recharge your emotional batteries.

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David
Co-Founder of DailyHealth.net

I know they work too! When I was first dx'd with the depression I tried a light box, and it works really, really well for mild depression and "Seasonal Affective Disorder." Unfortunately, I need bigger guns.
Good post, David!

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~~~~Becky

~ ~ ~ "And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom."
~ ~ ~ Anais Ain

i have the SadElite lamp from http://www.northernlighttechnologies.com/splash.php

hubby uses the light for 30 min every morning before he goes to work, as well

kidlet uses the light for about 10 min before he has to go to school

they really DO make a difference ! ! !

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kate

I just turned mine on and - BAM! - an immediate smile. Cool.

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David
Co-Founder of DailyHealth.net

one warning about using the lamps............ use them early in the day because they set your circadium rhythm, and can affect your ability to go to sleep at night :)

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kate

Kate, thanks for mentioning that. When I was in college, they were excellent for rallying at 9pm before a looooooong night out. But in the 'real world', night use is a no-no.

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David
Co-Founder of DailyHealth.net