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Light Therapy with Full Spectrum Light
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Do you experience seasonal depression or the winter blues? Do you experience lower energy levels, weight gain,
fatigue, interrupted sleep and
irritability each fall and winter? If you can answer "yes" you may be suffering from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).
SAD is a medical condition caused
by the seasonal change in the amount of available sunlight. SAD (which affects as much as 10% of the population) is
most pronounced in the more northern regions of the world, with a greater daylight variance from summer to winter.
Women are affected to a larger degree than men (by almost 3 to 1). Symptoms vary depending on the severity of the
individual case. In its milder form, “winter blues”, symptoms include a lack of energy, depression, listlessness,
and food cravings for sweets and carbohydrates. By contrast, cases of the more debilitating SAD may include
additional symptoms: Problems sleeping, change in appetite or weight, loss of memory, lack of concentration,
severe depression and confusion
Undeniably, the changing of seasons during the year can cause serious psychological changes. The exact causes of SAD are unknown, but the production
of body chemicals (serotonin, melatonin, etc.) that affect emotional states are known to fluctuate according to light exposure.
Although there are drugs that can regulate the body chemicals, light boxes that simulate natural lighting can also assist with getting over
the winter blues. Supplemental products such as artificial dawn simulators allow the body to naturally produce the necessary chemicals for a lively day.
We carry a complete line of SAD lamps and artificial dawn simulators and light boxes.
For more information, choose from the resources and products below.
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Thursday, August 21, 2008
