Okay, you all know I live in Columbus Ohio. Well let me tell you this place SUCKS weatherwise, especially in the winter months. Between November and April I'd say 95% of the time the skies are gray (grey?) and overcast.
Today was typical, not a trace of sunshine in the sky. I have found over the years that my mood is so affected by the weather. On days like today I become very melancholy, it's like nothing can cheer me up. I'd take 20 degrees (farenheit) with sunshine over 60 degrees with overcast skies anytime.
My question (especially to my fellow midwesterners) is, do you have any experience with light therapy? Did it help? Any product recommendations? Thanks!
Actually, the light therapy I've experienced wasn't really "prescribed" by a doctor, but it helped.
I saw a therapist for years to help me deal with depression. My depression always gets worse in the winter months. At one point she recommended (off the record of course) to try tanning when I started getting too melancholy. I've always been one to love being tanned, so I took her up on it. I bought a membership at a tanning salon so I could hit the rays for a few minutes a week. I started off with 5 or 10 minutes every two or three days and worked myself into a routine that was comfortable. I know it's not healthy for the skin, but I sure did start feeling better. I can't explain the hardships that come with skin cancer, but it was do that or committ suicide some months. I chose to tan. You might see about tanning just a week or two and see if that helps any.
Yes!!! It does work. I'm affected by it every year around February. A good friend of mine is also affected by it and bought one of the lamps and keeps it in her office and she says it helps ALOT!!!!
I'm looking into getting one of the lamps this year. I'm thinking I can probably get one on ebay for alot less than retail too.
Here is some more info:
This site has a lot of really good info on SAD itself:
