Not Enough Sunlight Can Be Depressing
Living in a subtropical region, we hardly go through long winter months or even have "winter" down here. Our winters consist of sunny skies with temperature reaching as high in the one hundreds and as low as fifty degrees Fahrenheit. So as I was reading this weeks section, I found it interesting to learn that people who live in areas that have long winter months, can suffer from seasonal affective disorder a.k.a SAD. These people suffer from depression during the winter months, but usually go away during summer and spring. This is mostly due to the seasonal variations of light. Some symptoms include depression, anxiety, mood changes, sleep problems, lethargy, and social problems. There is also a milder form of SAD called the "Winter Blues".
When seasons change, there is a shift in our biological clocks or circadian rhythm that can cause an increase of melatonin. Melatonin has been linked to SAD, especially since its production increases when the days are shorter and darker. The video below goes into further detail of this disorder and its treatment, such as being exposed to bright fluorescent lights (around 10,000 watts) which is equivalent to a bright sunny day. Another treatment that can be used for those that have SAD, is to at least walk for an hour in winter sunlight since it has been found to be as effective as two and a half hours under bright artificial light.
The blog you posted was really helpful into what SAD is and the affects it can have on someone. I really liked the video you posted too because it gave a lot of information of the treatments for this disorder.
ReplyDeleteThis was really informational and helpful! I personally dislike the cold weather and just wish it was sunny year round and I notice I do get a bit gloomy around this kind of weather. I will now start walking at least for an hour when there is sunlight in this time of year.
ReplyDeleteI always thought that the energy or vitamins the sun gives us where vital to our overall health, I didn't really link it to SAD because I thought the depression like symptoms where, just lack of energy with sun absence. This information has cleared many of my questions on the subject of SAD, the video was also very informative and detailed.
ReplyDeleteThis mood disorder was in fact one of the most interesting ones in our readings for this week. I can understand now how someone would be physiologically affected by not receiving the proper amount of sunlight needed. The video was very detailed and gave clear and straight forward answers to the basic questions regarding SAD. We should not take our sunlight we have for granted and be glad we do not have a high probability of being diagnosed with this mood disorder. It is relieving to know that there is a way to help reduce the negative affects of this disorder and to improve other physiological problems with the special lamp.
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