I Bought a SAD Lamp and It Made Me Happy
Seasonal affective disorder is common but there are simple solutions
I picture that perfect morning feeling. I wake up, feeling refreshed. The birds outside my window have a special morning song just for me. I jump out of bed and throw the blinds open as far as my arms can stretch. The sunshine pours into my bedroom and I feel rejuvenated. “Time to take on the day!” I say with a deep inhale and a positive outlook.
Then my alarm goes off.
It’s 6 a.m. in October and pitch black outside. It will be at least another hour before I see the sun. I drag my feet toward the coffee pot, as only its magic can save me now.
I have seasonal affective disorder (SAD), which means winter makes me sad. It is more common in those who live at higher latitudes where seasonal changes are more drastic. The sun appears later and goes away sooner. This throws off our body clock, called the circadian rhythm, which relies on the sun to keep proper time.
This is why bright light therapy is the first line in treating SAD. Thirty minutes in the morning has changed my mood entirely after a few days of use. I feel more energized and less anxious in the early waking hours.
