Seasonal depression affects more than 10 million Americans a year. Classified as a type of depression - Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) also known as the "Winter Blues" or the "Winter Blahs" primarily affects people who live in the northern latitude and typically affects more women than men. It usually starts in the Autumn season as the days shorten and can linger until Springtime.
What causes SAD? Experts think it's the lack of sunlight during the Winter reducing our physical activity levels as well as our Vitamin-D absorption from the sun. Without enough sunlight the brain does not produce enough seratonin. And then the shorter, darker days signal the brain to over-produce the hibernation hormone, melatonin.
Our internal clocks or bodies natural cycles aka Circadian Rhythms are based on external cycles. Circadian Rhythms control our appetite, energy level, mood, sleep, and libido. When our bodies are out of sync with nature we suffer from Circadian Rhythm problems.
Symptoms of SAD include:
- Depression
- Lethargy
- Fatigue
- Loss of Energy
- Sluggishness
- Desire to Oversleep
- Anxiety
- Difficulty Concentrating
- Difficulty Processing Information
- Social Withdrawal
- Weight Gain
- Cravings for Sweets and Carbs
For decades Doctors have recommended light therapy for treating mood and sleep disorders. Light Therapy or Phototherapy can offer an effective treatment for SAD. Light Therapy mimics outdoor light causing a natural boost in your mood and reducing symptoms of SAD. It's currently the most recommended treatment for SAD because it's safe and generally very effective. Bright white light therapy has been used to treat SAD for more than 20 years. Most white light therapy is prescribed at 10,000 lux for treatment periods that range from 30 minutes up to 2 hours per day. More recently the newer more advanced blue light therapy devices have become popular because of their effectiveness and shorter recommended treatment time of just 15 minutes to 30 minutes per day. In clinical studies bright light therapies have seen an 85% success rate.
NOTE: I researched dozens of sites looking for a light therapy device for my teenage daughter. While I suffer from mild Seasonal Affective Disorder, my daughter's depression and fatigue is very apparent during the Winter months. I was very impressed with Apollo Health and purchased the goLITE M2 model, which is the updated version of the P1 (the world's best selling SAD light therapy product). The M2 model has all the same features as the goLITE P1, but with new added features including a long lasting rechargeable Lithium-ion battery.
Apollo Health has been around since 1987 and is the worlds leading researcher and manufacturer of products for treating circadian rhythm disorders that result in SAD as well as other mood and sleep disorders. Apollo Health developed the goLITE, the newest breakthrough in light therapy with Blue Wave technology. Patent pending Blue Wave technology is the result of 10 years of research. Studies have shown that low-intensity blue light is twice as effective as compared to white light therapy.
The Apollo Health goLITE offers the following advantages over white light/full spectrum products:
Lower intensity of light required for treatments, making it easier on the eyes
Quicker treatment time - Most people notice an improvement with just 15 minutes a day
Smaller portable models - More compact than full-spectrum 10,000 lux conventional light devices
No reported side effects
It's been about 2 weeks now since my daughter started using the goLITE, and I have seen a remarkable difference in her, in this very short period of time! She's no longer moody and sleeping all the time - she's laughing again, and back to her old self! I have been using the goLITE myself first thing in the morning for just 15 minutes a day. I honestly feel a very positive difference, which I noticed immediately! I'm happier, my energy levels are up, my sugar cravings have (almost) diminished, and I've been sleeping like a baby!
I feel it's really a shame, that there are so many people who suffer from SAD and Dysthymia (low grade depression) who are relying on pharmaceutical drugs and anti-depressants when there is a much safer natural alternative like light therapy! I would highly recommend it!
BOTTOM LINE: If you suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder and you want to feel happier, more energetic, and wake up feeling refreshed - Discover the healing power of light!
If you think you suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder - Take the Circadian Rythms Test to see if Light Therapy is right for you.
PLEASE NOTE: I purchased my daughter's GoLITE through Amazon.com. Amazon offers a GREAT Selection of Philips GoLITES as well as other Blue Lite Therapy Devices at FANTASTIC Prices!
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