Winter Blues Beaten: Simple Light Therapy Offers Hope for Seasonal Affective Disorder
LONDON – As daylight hours dwindle adn winter approaches, millions bracing for Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) may find a surprisingly simple solution, according to a writer who credits light therapy with transforming her experience of the condition. After years of struggling with the “bug that lasts all season,” one journalist discovered a targeted approach to light exposure that dramatically improved her symptoms.
SAD, a type of depression linked to changes in seasons, typically emerges when reduced sunlight disrupts the body’s internal clock. For years, the writer attempted common remedies like SAD lamps and lunchtime walks, with limited success. however, a conversation with a Finnish scientist during research for a feature article revealed a crucial detail: timing.
The scientist advised sitting in front of a light box emitting 10,000 lux for up to an hour, at least five times a week, starting a couple of weeks before symptoms typically begin, and crucially, in the morning. “Eight out of 10 people will have good results with this,” the scientist explained.
Initially skeptical, the writer followed the instructions meticulously, upgrading the bulbs on her existing SAD lamps and positioning them for morning use. ”I sat myself down there first thing every morning to read a book in the blinding light, coffee in hand,” she wrote.
The results were meaningful. While occasional gloomy days still occurred, the light therapy routine allowed her to “mostly feel like herself,” avoiding the usual afternoon slump and regaining energy for social activities. “Rather of preferring a blanket on the sofa most January nights, I found myself keen to go out for dinners and dancing on the weekends,” she reported.
The writer emphasizes that the therapy went beyond simply boosting energy levels, enabling her to fully appreciate the beauty of winter. Now, with winter approaching, she is resuming the routine, stating she is “no longer afraid of the dark.”
This experience highlights the importance of precise submission of light therapy for SAD sufferers. The disruption caused by darkness affects the circadian rhythm, impacting hormones, hunger, digestion, immune function, alertness, memory, and sleep. By delivering light exposure early in the day, individuals can help reset their body clocks and mitigate the debilitating effects of SAD.
