Sad Sad - "Winter Blues" Will A Light Box Help Me?

“Winter Blues”. Willa light box help me? Perhaps a winter trip to Hawaii, Texas or Tahiti may help as well or even as much in controlling your, a family member of a friend’s winter depression.

It is medically estimated that about 2 % of the general population suffer from what is technicality referred to as “Seasonal Affective Disease” or “SAD”, popularly called “Winter Blues”. It is said that approximately 10 % of the general population manages to “get by”, throughout the winter with troublesome, irritating but troublesome symptoms of the “winter Bleus”.

What are the symptoms of “SAD”? What to watch for in you, friends and family during the cold winter time and that by spring disappear or subside First and foremost it should be noted and emphasized that depression can be the result of many causes. If the person shows serious or even moderate signs of depression they should receive immediate professional care and prompt attention. If you are having trouble obtaining treatment then the person can be taken to a medical emergency ward at your local hospital promptly.

Sleep problems - oversleeping, but the person is not refreshed, often cannot get out of bed. The same person may need a nap in the afternoon. Big time weight gain. Overeating. Cravings of sweets and chocolate. Depression, despair, misery, guilt and anxiety. Normal task that previously were no big deal are difficult if not impossible. Is the person just too tired or lethargic to accomplish their other task? Lastly physical symptoms may become more apparent such is irritable bowels disease with its assorted cramps and pains and as well rheumatoid and / or joint pains. Lastly if the person becomes seasonally and unmorally crabby and difficult to live with in the winter but seems fine during the spring, summer and fall seasons.

What causes these “Winter Bleus “or “Seasonal Affective Depression” and what you do or what can be done about it? This winter sadness is all in the brain. It may be because of missing strong light in the winter. It may be as a result of chemistry in the brain and the interaction of chemical “neurotransmitters”.

It has been noted since the dawn of man, that ancient poets have described a sense of sadness as the days shorten in the fall and winter – leading to the winter equinox. In fact most cultures have winter festivals that are associated with candles, light or fire – be it Christmas, Hanukah or Sikh holidays. In fact most cultures have holidays that mark and celebrate the winter solstice – the time period and day from which onwards daylight increases.

It is now known that bright light will definitely help ward off the severity and incidence of SAD. In addition the further south a person moves, the less is the severity of the illness. It is also appreciated that women have a highest rate of, and severity of SAD.

What are your options? Therapy at your current location with “Bright Light Boxes”. Walking outdoors, travel and vacations and even relocation to warmer, brighter climes.

“Bright Light Boxes” can be used. Typically the light is 5 times a bright as the standard florescent lights in an office. The person treated will need to be under these special lights for approx half hour a day, It is not simply the case that a somewhat brighter light or lighting will do, it is special lamps with these brightness levels. Secondly it is highly unlikely that a whole office will allow it self to be subjected to these levels of brightness lighting levels. Poor concentration, work levels and even insomnia can result.

Outdoor light will do the same trick of helping winter depression. Walking outside half an hour or so will both accomplish the therapeutic amount of proper light needed and as well provide relaxing exercise. This is all very simple, and can be very good – that is the weather is not too cold, the person is mobile and the neighborhood safe.

Lastly travel and a change of scenery can do the trick in more ways than one. It is well known that if the person moves his location from a more northern clime – say Grand Forks North Dakota to a more southern clime that will have longer hours, and a warmer climate to walk outside- then the SAD symptoms will diminish. An example might be a winter vacation to Las Vegas Nevada, Florida or Hawaii. Indeed in very severe cases of winter depression individuals have decided to move their place of residence once and for all.

After all better to be hot and perhaps humid than cold, dark and depressed.

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