Let There be Light

Natural patterns of morning light exposure can positively affect depression including SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder)

Let There be Light
By Mary Ann Copson

"It is the discouraging veil of darkness, falling over the sparkling whiteness of earlier nights, which sends a vein of despair running through our souls."
- Dr. Frederick Cook

As days grow shorter in the winter and light becomes less available and less intense your hypothalamus responds by shifting your body rhythms into those resembling hibernation. You may feel an increased need for carbohydrates, contracted energy, diminished sex drive, lower motivation, more sluggishness and, in some cases, feelings of depression. For those living in darker, more northern exposures this shift in body rhythms can even go so far as to resemble clinical depression.

This shifting in body rhythms is known as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). The negative effects of SAD can be experienced from November through March with February and March often being the peak months for experiencing symptoms. Purposeful exposure to sunlight, full spectrum indoor lighting and a light box have all been shown effective in easing the body through this seasonal change. Dawn simulation, however, might be even more effective than simple light exposure.

Our body clock is set to respond to the first light of dawn and is wired to awaken our body through stimulation by the sunrise. Even behind closed eyelids, your eyes are sensitive enough to receive the first light signals of dawn. These sunrise signals register with your hypothalamus and tell your body to transition out of dreaming. They raise your body temperature and cortisol levels getting your primed to engage with your day.

As the sun continues to rise, higher light intensity stimulates our neural activity to progressively shift from sleep to full awakening. This is naturally a gradual timed progression from sleep to arousal - a little different than blasting yourself out of slumber with the shrill of an alarm clock.

Dawn simulators are devices that mimic the progressive lighting of a sunrise and gradually wake you following the body's natural patterns. As you reconnect to the natural rhythms of the body using a dawn simulator mimicking the natural sunrise, you may experience benefits such as clearer thinking, more positive moods, increased energy, and feeling more rested in the morning - and be less SAD. Dawn simulators are available in many retail stores, health food stores, online and through catalogues.

(Or you could install a skylight over your bed - my personal solution.)

"Let there be light."
-Book of Genesis

Mary Ann Copson is the creator of the Evenstar Mood and Energy Management System for Women. With Master's Degrees in Human Development and in Psychology and counseling, Mary Ann is a Certified Licensed Nutritionist, a Certified Holistic Health Practitioner, a Brain Chemistry Profile Clinician, a Professional Life Coach and Human Development Consultant. For resources about reconnecting to your natural rhythms through better management of your physical, emotional, mental, psychological and spiritual energy visit http://evenstaronline.com

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See the section on Treatment for SAD for more information about Light Therapy