Don't Be SAD

[Guest guest]

http://www.lime.com/blog/savasthi/6733/dont_be_sad Health Don't Be SAD Posted by Su Avasthi on December 7, 2006 - 2:57am. You know the signs: Mornings are dark. Evenings are dark. Your cubicle is dark. The only time you ever see daylight is on the weekends. Is it any wonder that you have that you want to climb back under the covers and hibernate till the spring? According to the New York Times, more than 20 percent -- or 14 million people -- suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD. Some 33 million of us start to feel run down (or just down) as the daylight gets limited and we head the darkest few days of the year. We brace for the winter solstice, the shortest day of the

year, which occurs on December 22. Personally, I'm one of the many people who experiences some symptoms of SAD. Living in the desert southwest helps, but I hate the short days and the lack of light. I get a bummed out in the winter and on really gray, blustery days, hibernating under the covers sounds like a brilliant idea. While I know that I get down in the winter, I'd never really looked into SAD or simple steps I could take to cheer myself up. It seems that SAD is not technically a form of depression, but it often mimics the same symptoms, such as a lack of energy, cheerfulness, creativity, or productivity. Many describe it as an "energy crisis" or feeling like your batteries are running low. I think many of us would agree that it's harder to keep up our spirits and energy level in winter. It's close enough to depression, however, that sufferers risk

triggering a full-blown clinical depression. We've known for years that SAD is treatable through light therapy. The Times article reviews various machines and options, but they generally involve spending time in front of a specialized light box that provides the body with ample exposure to something like sunlight. Most light boxes are fairly expensive (around $200) and require a few hours each day; only the most severely affected folks might seek out light therapy treatment. Fortunately, there are a few simple steps to help lessen SAD symptoms. Research suggests that SAD sufferers should workout daily. Outside is good. Morning is better. It seems that our circadian rhythms respond well to morning light. Another trick is to stick with a diet that's high in protein and low in carbs. I know it's hard to give up comfort foods in the winter (no more

pasta? no more mac & cheese?). But going easy on the carbs seems to help us cope with the reduced amount of sunlight. All in all, morning exercise and a low carb diet are relatively easy ways to fight the blues. Besides a lot cheaper than taking a trip to the Caribbean.... even if it's not quite as much fun. "Get off your ass and take your government back." ~Rocky Ward

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[Guest guest]

I just wanted to say that you can find the light boxes for around

$100. I've been using one each day for the last 2 weeks (from 1/2

hour to 1 1/4 hours) and it's really helped. Don't hesitate to try

one. They do work. Just don't look directly into the light.

Sue B.

 

, Rocky Ward

<rachelleward2 wrote:

>

> http://www.lime.com/blog/savasthi/6733/dont_be_sad

>

> Health

>

> Don't Be SAD

> Posted by Su Avasthi on December 7, 2006 - 2:57am.

> You know the signs: Mornings are dark. Evenings are dark. Your

cubicle is dark. The only time you ever see daylight is on the weekends.

> Is it any wonder that you have that you want to climb back under

the covers and hibernate till the spring?

> According to the New York Times, more than 20 percent -- or 14

million people -- suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD.

Some 33 million of us start to feel run down (or just down) as the

daylight gets limited and we head the darkest few days of the year. We

brace for the winter solstice, the shortest day of the year, which

occurs on December 22.

> Personally, I'm one of the many people who experiences some

symptoms of SAD. Living in the desert southwest helps, but I hate the

short days and the lack of light. I get a bummed out in the winter and

on really gray, blustery days, hibernating under the covers sounds

like a brilliant idea. While I know that I get down in the winter, I'd

never really looked into SAD or simple steps I could take to cheer

myself up.

> It seems that SAD is not technically a form of depression, but it

often mimics the same symptoms, such as a lack of energy,

cheerfulness, creativity, or productivity. Many describe it as an

" energy crisis " or feeling like your batteries are running low. I

think many of us would agree that it's harder to keep up our spirits

and energy level in winter. It's close enough to depression, however,

that sufferers risk triggering a full-blown clinical depression.

> We've known for years that SAD is treatable through light therapy.

The Times article reviews various machines and options, but they

generally involve spending time in front of a specialized light box

that provides the body with ample exposure to something like sunlight.

Most light boxes are fairly expensive (around $200) and require a few

hours each day; only the most severely affected folks might seek out

light therapy treatment.