| "Winter Blues". Willa light box help me? Perhaps a | | | | winter equinox. In fact most cultures have winter |
| winter trip to Hawaii, Texas or Tahiti may help as well | | | | festivals that are associated with candles, light or fire - |
| or even as much in controlling your, a family member | | | | be it Christmas, Hanukah or Sikh holidays. In fact most |
| of a friend's winter depression. | | | | cultures have holidays that mark and celebrate the |
| It is medically estimated that about 2 % of the general | | | | winter solstice - the time period and day from which |
| population suffer from what is technicality referred to | | | | onwards daylight increases. |
| as "Seasonal Affective Disease" or "SAD", popularly | | | | It is now known that bright light will definitely help ward |
| called "Winter Blues". It is said that approximately 10 % | | | | off the severity and incidence of SAD. In addition the |
| of the general population manages to "get by", | | | | further south a person moves, the less is the severity |
| throughout the winter with troublesome, irritating but | | | | of the illness. It is also appreciated that women have a |
| troublesome symptoms of the "winter Bleus". | | | | highest rate of, and severity of SAD. |
| What are the symptoms of "SAD"? What to watch | | | | What are your options? Therapy at your current |
| for in you, friends and family during the cold winter time | | | | location with "Bright Light Boxes". Walking outdoors, |
| and that by spring disappear or subside First and | | | | travel and vacations and even relocation to warmer, |
| foremost it should be noted and emphasized that | | | | brighter climes. |
| depression can be the result of many causes. If the | | | | "Bright Light Boxes" can be used. Typically the light is 5 |
| person shows serious or even moderate signs of | | | | times a bright as the standard florescent lights in an |
| depression they should receive immediate professional | | | | office. The person treated will need to be under these |
| care and prompt attention. If you are having trouble | | | | special lights for approx half hour a day, It is not simply |
| obtaining treatment then the person can be taken to a | | | | the case that a somewhat brighter light or lighting will |
| medical emergency ward at your local hospital | | | | do, it is special lamps with these brightness levels. |
| promptly. | | | | Secondly it is highly unlikely that a whole office will |
| Sleep problems - oversleeping, but the person is not | | | | allow it self to be subjected to these levels of |
| refreshed, often cannot get out of bed. The same | | | | brightness lighting levels. Poor concentration, work |
| person may need a nap in the afternoon. Big time | | | | levels and even insomnia can result. |
| weight gain. Overeating. Cravings of sweets and | | | | Outdoor light will do the same trick of helping winter |
| chocolate. Depression, despair, misery, guilt and anxiety. | | | | depression. Walking outside half an hour or so will both |
| Normal task that previously were no big deal are | | | | accomplish the therapeutic amount of proper light |
| difficult if not impossible. Is the person just too tired or | | | | needed and as well provide relaxing exercise. This is all |
| lethargic to accomplish their other task? Lastly physical | | | | very simple, and can be very good - that is the |
| symptoms may become more apparent such is | | | | weather is not too cold, the person is mobile and the |
| irritable bowels disease with its assorted cramps and | | | | neighborhood safe. |
| pains and as well rheumatoid and / or joint pains. Lastly | | | | Lastly travel and a change of scenery can do the trick |
| if the person becomes seasonally and unmorally | | | | in more ways than one. It is well known that if the |
| crabby and difficult to live with in the winter but seems | | | | person moves his location from a more northern clime |
| fine during the spring, summer and fall seasons. | | | | - say Grand Forks North Dakota to a more southern |
| What causes these "Winter Bleus "or "Seasonal | | | | clime that will have longer hours, and a warmer climate |
| Affective Depression" and what you do or what can | | | | to walk outside- then the SAD symptoms will diminish. |
| be done about it? This winter sadness is all in the brain. | | | | An example might be a winter vacation to Las Vegas |
| It may be because of missing strong light in the winter. | | | | Nevada, Florida or Hawaii. Indeed in very severe cases |
| It may be as a result of chemistry in the brain and the | | | | of winter depression individuals have decided to move |
| interaction of chemical "neurotransmitters". | | | | their place of residence once and for all. |
| It has been noted since the dawn of man, that ancient | | | | After all better to be hot and perhaps humid than cold, |
| poets have described a sense of sadness as the | | | | dark and depressed. |
| days shorten in the fall and winter - leading to the | | | | |