I am a summer person.  I love the sun.  Maybe you could say I am somewhat of a sun goddess.  It is October in California and if it is over 70 degrees and the sun is shining I try to go to the beach.  For some reason the beach makes me happy.  For some people its exercise, for me it’s laying on the beach staring into the sun.  There is nothing more peaceful.  Obviously, I am a little unhappy about the fact that the days of 70 degree weather are ending.  I guess you could say I’ve got a case of the winter blues.
While my winter blues may be a mild form of sadness due to the longing I feel for those summer months, for many these months of winter blues are much more severe.  Lack of sunlight can actually cause a form of depression.  This pattern that occurs every winter can alter a person’s mood, change eating habits, and cause a lack of energy.
How do you beat the winter blues if you have what is know as Seasonal Affective Disorder?  You can discuss your options with your doctor.  However, for many the use of a SAD therapy lamp is a great option.  These lamps help add light back into your life since the sun is absent.  They have been an effective way to treat the winter depression for many people.

When I was little and got frustrated my parents used to try to lift my moods with positive statements.  They would tell me to, “Stay Positive,” “Cheer Up,” and even to “Brighten Up”.  It sounds odd to brighten up.  However, light seems to correlate with happiness.  Therefore, those who are unhappy tend to lack light in their lives both figuratively and literally.
Those in the medical industry understand the importance of light.  They have seen the effects of light and its production of serotonin in the brain.  Serotonin elevates one’s mood, hence increasing a person’s wellbeing.  It only makes sense, then, that in the winter months a lack of light and therefore a lack of serotonin would cause a decrease in one’s mood.
Many doctors have tried to medicate this problem with problem with anti-depressants and anti-anxiety drugs.  Sometimes these drugs prove to be beneficial and sometimes they are unfortunately ineffective.  Another option to help you brighten up when you lack light -especially during those winter months when you are more at risk for developing conditions such as Seasonal Affective Disorder - is the use of light boxes.  Consider trying one today.  There is a good chance it could help brighten your mood!

Seasonal Affective Disorder is a condition that many people are now suffering from as we enter the winter months.  While many people worry about getting flu shots, one thing they might also want to be concerned about is whether or not the lack of sunlight is affecting their health.  Unfortunately many people that suffer from SAD do not even realize they are affected with the condition.  You could be one of them.  To better understand the condition, it is important to understand all of the symptoms that relate to the disorder.  The following problems affect those who are suffering from SAD:
1. They have difficulty sleeping.  They either sleep too much, or cannot sleep well.  Sometimes they feel tired throughout the day.
2. Many people gain weight.  Because they are tired, they tend to consume a lot of carbs, which leads to weight gain.
3. Many people suffer from depression and other mood disorders making it difficult for them to perform daily tasks.
4. Often they will be physical weak and maybe sick to their stomach.
5. Younger patients will tend to display behavioral problems.
If you feel like you fit into this category, talk with your doctor about your options.  Don’t let your condition affect the winter months.

I am one of those people who needs to live in a warm climate.  I recently visited New York City.  It rained for 2 days.  Those 2 days were my least favorite days out of my 10 day trip.  I was somewhat miserable walking around the city in the rain.  It was dark, cold, and wet.  I remember just wanting to be inside and warm.  And, who wants to be inside when you are in New York City?  I will never forget when I arrived home to sunny California.  I was so unbelievably happy.  What is it about the sun that makes us happy?
According to medical experts the bright light from the sun makes a difference in the chemistry of our brain.  This chemistry controls the nerves in our brain that stimulate our moods.  Those who suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder experience a disruption in their brain chemistry when their body does not receive enough sunlight.
One of the best options to replace the sun when there is a lack of it is to use a SAD therapy lamp.  These lamps can mimic the sunlight and help diminish some of the side effects that SAD can produce.  If you are suffering from SAD try a lamp today.