If you suffer from seasonal affective disorder (SAD), also known as the “winter blues,” you know how difficult it can be to get through the darker, colder months. Seasonal affective disorder is a type of depression that typically occurs during winter when there is less natural sunlight.
Inadequate natural sunlight affects our circadian rhythm, the name given to the “internal body clock” that regulates the 24-hour cycle of biological processes in our bodies. The lack of sunlight can also cause serotonin levels to drop and melatonin levels to become unbalanced, which can play a role in sleep patterns and mood.
Symptoms of SAD
The symptoms of SAD usually manifest in late autumn or early winter and tend to recede during the brighter days of spring and summer, with their intensity gradually increasing over the course of the season.
Symptoms of SAD can include
- Feeling listless, sad or down most of the day, nearly every day
- Losing interest in activities you once enjoyed
- Having low energy and feeling sluggish
- Having problems with sleeping too much
- Experiencing carbohydrate cravings, overeating and weight gain
- Having difficulty concentrating
- Feeling hopeless, worthless or guilty
But there is hope – light therapy has shown to be a safe and effective treatment for SAD and can help improve mood, sleep, and overall well-being.
What is Light Therapy
Light therapy, also known as phototherapy, involves exposing the person to artificial light that mimics the natural light of the sun and causes a change in brain chemicals linked to mood.
Light therapy is one of the first-line treatments for fall-onset SAD and It generally starts working in a few days to a few weeks.
One of the best ways to incorporate light therapy into your daily routine for combating SAD is with Re-timer light therapy glasses. These glasses use a superior green/blue light wavelength based on 25 years of scientific research to mimic the natural light of the sun and help to regulate your body’s natural circadian rhythm and improve mood. Re-Timer light therapy glasses are a certified Medical Device in Europe and Australia so you know this green-blue light therapy device is a proven treatment for SAD.
All you have to do is wear Re-Timer light therapy glasses for just 30 – 60 minutes in the morning to increase energy and mood, so you get the most out of every day.
And because they are portable wearable, you can wear them while watching TV, eating breakfast or reading a book making them a convenient and discreet way to get your daily dose of light therapy.
Do not disregard this annual mood change as just a case of the “winter blues” or a temporary slump that must be endured on your own. Take steps to incorporate light therapy into your daily routine with the help of Re-timer wearables making it the ultimate antidote for SAD.
