Question re: wintertime blues

**Missy** · 10-26-2005, 01:51 PM

OK, i was thinking. I know, I know, I know, no good can come of this. Don't worry, i don't do it often enough to hurt.

In the wintertime, we are susseptible to "wintertime blues". Doctors attribute this to the lack of sunlight. Makes sense. I get grumpier as the days shorten.

My thought was how about any studies with artificial sunlight? DO "Grow" lights affect this? Those lights used in greenhouses... if they make ones that would fit normal light sockets, would they cast enough UV light to help those who are affected adversely by shortened daylight?

I was just thinking...

**pita1213** · 10-26-2005, 02:14 PM

there have been studies done on this, mostly on people that move to alaska from the lower 48 but there have been some done just on wintertime blues. it's been a while since i read any of them, but what was usually prescribed for those suffering from bad winter depression was time sitting under some sort of light that simulates sunlight. i can't remember what they were called and they probably are similar to grow lights if not the same thing. depending on the severity of teh depression they would sit by them for 30 minutes or a few hours.

the ones about those moving to alaska also involved their bodies adjusting to the cycles of constant daylight then constant night time.

**Missy** · 10-26-2005, 02:54 PM

ahhhhh, thanks for the answer. The strangest things bug me till i find out! Wonder if tanning beds produce this light and if maybe that's part of why people feel good after tanning. See, strange things stick in my head and bug me till i find out!

**Early Bird** · 10-26-2005, 03:05 PM

I think I've got SAD. But, living in the Southwest -- with 300+ days/yr of sunshine helps a lot!

There was a lot that I loved about living in the Midwest. But the heavy grey skies were one of the reasons I was glad to move!

**canadian gardener** · 10-26-2005, 03:17 PM

Not grow lights, just LOTS of light.

So SAD is often treated with light boxes where the person sits by or in a box with a ton of light pouring in so that they are exposed to the equivalent of several hours of sunlight per day.

It activates the melatonin serotonin balance in the brain by the light going thru to stimulate the pineal gland located near the back and base of the head.

I have heard that tanning beds work too, but to a lesser extent as the eyes are shielded.

Grow lights and other full spectrum lights have a more sunlight like frequency band, but the intensity isn't there.

Intensity of light is what does it.

Brighter.

**momof42003** · 10-26-2005, 03:25 PM

I make sure that the house has good lighting on all the time during the day, and that the blinds are open, even if we only get an hour or two of real sun... It comes directly into our livingroom, where not only does it help with the light, but it heats up my brown carpet and we can keep the thermostat turned down for awhile..... Two birds with one stone......LOL

**Michele Annette** · 10-26-2005, 03:36 PM

The cloud has decended and I know we won't see the sun again until Janurary. We haven't seen the sun in over three weeks straight!

**jlxian** · 10-26-2005, 03:36 PM

I use one of the specially designed lights for SAD and like it a lot. I keep it on the kitchen counter at the end of the section we sidle up to with stools and eat our breakfast. I turn it on while I watch the morning news, before I wake the kids, and while I have my first cup of coffee. In the grey days of winter it is is a welcome treat. It is supposed to simulate the strength of sunlight on an April day. Mine came from a company called "Northern Light".

Now mind you I also take anti-depressents because my depression is not TOTALLY seasonal.

I normally use the light during the winter months, but have also found that late summer/early fall is a critical time for me --- I guess due to decreasing day length, or even due to having been "housebound" by the extreme heat of July and August.

I recommend the light to anyone who suspects that are affected by SAD.

**SHOPGIRL** · 10-26-2005, 09:53 PM

Buy full-spectrum lighting. It's the closet thing to natural sunlight. You can buy bulbs in all sizes. Do a google search for a company near you. If you can't find one, I'll find the company that I used. You can also buy them at health food stores, and I've seen them at Bed, Bath and Beyond. I've yet to see them at other stores like Home Depot and Lowes.

**HandyMom** · 10-26-2005, 11:48 PM

"buy full-spectrum lighting."

Thanks, Shopgirl. I'll make note of that.

DON'T buy a sunlamp for tanning and use that as a means to copy natural sunlight. I tried that once and it got really hot, the bulb exploded and it gave off a lot of heat that could have given me a sunburn on one side of my face and arms.

**zakity** · 10-27-2005, 02:12 PM

One of my friends in Canada told me to take a multi-B for my SAD. I have a slight slight case of it. It helps me out considerably (when I remember to take them!).

**geniebird** · 10-28-2005, 09:44 AM

Everything slows down a little in the winter. I can actually feel seasonal changes in my body as well as my mood. Sometimes I do have to remind myself that it is all part of the life cycle. It seems to me that many problems encountered in modern society come from not being able to follow and celebrate that cyclical nature of life.

The thing that gets to me most about winter is "cabin fever." Wanting to get outside if the weather has been really bad.

Winter is actually my most productive time. I stock up on art supplies and spend a lot of time doing art and writing. It's the next best thing to actually hibernating.

**Valerie in WA** · 10-28-2005, 12:01 PM

I use a lamp. It's a full spectrum bulb and at 12 inches, I think it gives off 10,000 lux (a measure of brightness). I found it by doing an internet search and educating myself by reading articles that I found. It cost about $200, and a replacement bulb is $30.

I pull it out only about four months of the year, when I get to the point that I can't even get the dishes done, because all I want to do is lay around. Like Geniebird said, there is some natural cycling. In the summer, I'm a lark on 6-7hours of sleep. In the winter I need 9 or 10 hours. I'm okay with that, but when I spend a whole day unable to engage in life, that's when I get out the lamp.