Post Holiday Blues

The beginning of winter can be exciting for many people.  It means the beginning of the holiday season.  And, although the days get shorter, there is a lot of excitement in the air that brings people together and can lift people’s moods.  However, when January hits, there is often nothing to look forward to for a long time.

The Reality Of Winter

January is for many people when winter truly begins.  The cold is finally a reality for many people.  And, at this point, there is no Christmas tree in the house or thanksgiving dinner to combat the cold weather or lack of sun.  Instead, there are many long days with a lack of sunlight and bitter temperatures. 

The Effect Of Winter

For many, January is a time when the winter blues truly sets in.  It can be depressing to not see the sun for days.  And, you may begin to wonder when the sun will start to shine.  Although it might be difficult to focus on positive things when it seems gloomy outside, try to keep a positive attitude.  If your depression worsens, you might develop Seasonal Affective Disorder.  This condition is a serious form of depression that will reoccur every winter season and get worse if left untreated.

The good news is that it can be easily treated with the application of full spectrum therapy lights used according to a doctor’s instructions.

Many people suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder every winter season.  As the sunlight disappears and the days get shorter, their mood and behavior is affected.  They develop a type of depression that is seasonally related.  This depression only occurs in them during the winter months.  And, when the winter ends, their behavior returns to normal state.
SAD Symptoms
The symptoms of SAD profess themselves similarly to depression.  Those that suffer from SAD feel more tired than usual.  They will often struggle with a lack of motivation and irritability.  Sometimes, they even feel hopeless.  In addition, they also lack the desire to socialize as they normally would.

SAD and Work

Most of our jobs keep us inside and away from the sun—summer or winter. So for SAD sufferers, the workplace can be a very real contributer to the problem. An office with full spectrum lighting or really great windows may help somewhat, of course, but these types of accommodations are not standard.

In addition to the light issues most desk jobs present, there are the regular stresses of the workplace to consider as well. Job related stress can only compound the negative symptoms of SAD.

There is a solution however, at least for the SAD symptoms. While it cannot remove normal sources of stress, a SAD desk lamp at the office can offer invaluable relief from daily SAD symptoms.