Brighten you day

SAD LIGHTING AND TIPS

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is characterised as a type of depression that occurs seasonally or at a particular time of year.

Often, people who suffer with SAD battle with a lack of energy, concentration, low moods and potential sleeping issues that reoccur during a certain season. This is more common heading into winter because of shorter days, lack of sunlight and reluctance to go out so much due to the cold.

*If you feel you might be struggling with similar symptoms, don’t forget to check in with your GP for guidance*

There is no one factor to what causes seasonal affective disorder, however, it is often linked to the following:

- Serotonin production: a lack of sunlight in winter can often hinder the release of serotonin, making a change to your mood, appetite and sleep patterns. - Melatonin production: more melatonin is released when your body receives less sunlight. This is linked to increased desire to sleep and lower moods.

SAD LIGHTING:

Many people use SAD lamps as a form of treatment to brighten their living space and improve their mood during the darker months.

These lights are not a cure for SAD, but many people swear by them as a method to ease their symptoms. When choosing a SAD light, it is important to consider brightness levels, the type of light being emitted and if the box is convenient to have in your home.

Many professionals also suggest that light therapy should be done consistently every day and for the same months of the year for it to be effective. It is advised that light therapy be used at the same time as other therapies for those people who suffer with SAD quite severely.

Light boxes can also be really helpful for those of us who don’t quite suffer with depression symptoms but definitely feel the effects of shorter days and lack of sunlight. They are great tools for boosting your mood and lifting energy levels!

OTHER TIPS FOR COPING WITH SAD:

As well as utilising artificial light to boost mood and energy, exposing ourselves to natural sunlight is the ultimate way to up our vitamin D intake and regulate our circadian rhythms to make us feel more tired at night and more awake throughout the day. This will help with sorting out your sleep schedule and ultimately making your mind and body feel healthier.

If you find altering your sleep pattern difficult during the winter months or find yourself with low energy constantly, try combating this from a different angle. Exercising in the morning might be a great way to wake yourself up and lift your mood for the rest of the day.

Accomplishing tasks as soon as you wake up is a brilliant way to set the tone for the rest of the day. This can go hand in hand with your eating and drinking habits too. Making an extra effort to make healthier choices will benefit your mind more than you think.