Great account in the Scotsman from a Seasonal Affective Disorder sufferer and the change brought about when she bought a light box.

Scotsman.com Living - Let there be light

technorati tags:Seasonal+Affective+Disorder, SAD, winter

There is more to Seasonal Affective Disorder than feeling down with the passing of the seasons. Patients must generally show symptoms of being affected by low winter light levels for 3 years in a row before a diagnosis is made. As the Times Online states in answer to a reader query

“Most of us enjoy summer more than winter and regret its passing. There are good reasons why domestic quarrels reach their peak at the end of August, after the summer holidays, and during the Christmas break. These have little to do with changes to sunlight but quite a lot to do with the passing of the seasons and the way in which the sparkle may go out of people’s lives once morning and evenings are wet and dark.”

Seasonal changes can leave you feeling so Sad - Health - Times Online

technorati tags:SAD, Seasonal+Affective+Disorder

When it comes to Seasonal Affective Disorder every bit of light helps though of course normal light will not help to fend off full-blown SAD.

This article has a few tips to increase your exposure to light, for example

“If you do a lot of driving, it’s helpful to have a sunroof in your vehicle. This way, you can let in as much light as possible during the gloomy season.”

I must admit i didn’t think of that when I bought my last car so I thought some of the tips might be new to you too.

BCNG : Don’t get SAD, get light stuff this fall and winter

technorati tags:SAD, Seasonal+Affective+Disorder, Light

This article has a description of all the types of light bulb out there (and who knew there were so many) but note the warning

“Some full-spectrum bulbs are marketed as being useful in treating Seasonal Affective Disorder, but lighting expert Joe Rey-Barreau notes that the treatment for the disorder involves amount rather than type of light.”

Beacon Journal | 08/19/2006 | SHEDDING SOME LIGHT ON BULB NOMENCLATURE

technorati tags:SAD, Seasonal+Affective+Disorder, light+bulbs

There are so many reasons why the sun is good for you - no wonder we get pretty “sad” without it even if we don’t suffer from serious Seasonal Affective Disorder.  In the Northern hemisphere at least things are starting to get brighter these days, even in Scotland …so the great outdoors beckons again. This Mirror article 15 REASONS WHY THE SUN IS GOOD FOR YOU gives us the following reasons why we should all spend more time enjoying the sun when we can

• It cheers you up
• It reduces heart disease
• It prevents diabetes
• Beats SAD
• Helps prevent MS
• Prevents cavities
• Relieves aches and pains
• Reduces risk of cancers
• Boosts fertility
• Gives you more energy
• Eases IBD
• Beats period problems
• Helps skin conditions
• Boosts your immune system
• Helps you lose weight

Of course sunlight is not all good - there is the little matter of skin cancer but as long as you treat it sensibly and use proper protection it’s great to catch those rays.