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Light Therapy

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The short and sweet:

During winter months, especially in northern areas, the lack of light leads to depression, often refered to Seasonal Affective Disorder or SADD. A big problem in Alaska and Antarctica, but also can affect certain people in areas closer to the equator - NY, New England, Maryland, Kansas, northern California, etc. Floridians may not have as much problem with this.

More light means less seasonal affective disorder.

Lighttherapy.jpg

Light boxes are made specifically for this use - very bright and safe for the eyes. Don't use incandescent bulbs, and beware of home made lights unless you read up on it first.

Particularly effective if used in early morning. Most are made to use at least 30 minutes per day, but using them longer than that at your desk at work can work even better, and lets you sit farther away which might be desirable.

See Winter Blues by Norman Rosenthal, former director of the light therapy department at NIH, for more info.

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