Wake up it's a beautiful morning...
How did you feel this morning - tired and lethargic or happy and inspired to start a new day? Many of us, like animals, feel the need to hibernate during the winter months.
SAD, otherwise known as Seasonal Affective Disorder, is now recognised among medics. A form of winter depression related to the lack of natural daylight, SAD effects over half a million people in the UK every year.
The symptoms commonly include sleep problems, lethargy, overeating, depression, anxiety, tension, loss of libido and mood changes. Many sufferers also show signs of a weakened immune system becoming unwell or more vulnerable to other illnesses.
Luckily cures such as light therapy have proved to be effective in up to 85% of cases. Light therapy includes exposure to a very bright light, utilising specialist lamps for up to fours hours a day which help to combat feels of lethargy and depression. The average domestic light bulb produces 200-500 lux, whereas SAD treatment lamps must resemble the light levels of a sunny day (100,000 lux) and are available with an intensity from 2500 lux upwards. 'Daylight' or full spectrum lamps are also available but do not provide nearly enough intensity of light to produce a difference, therefore a specialist lamp should always be used.
SAD, otherwise known as Seasonal Affective Disorder, is now recognised among medics. A form of winter depression related to the lack of natural daylight, SAD effects over half a million people in the UK every year.
The symptoms commonly include sleep problems, lethargy, overeating, depression, anxiety, tension, loss of libido and mood changes. Many sufferers also show signs of a weakened immune system becoming unwell or more vulnerable to other illnesses.
Luckily cures such as light therapy have proved to be effective in up to 85% of cases. Light therapy includes exposure to a very bright light, utilising specialist lamps for up to fours hours a day which help to combat feels of lethargy and depression. The average domestic light bulb produces 200-500 lux, whereas SAD treatment lamps must resemble the light levels of a sunny day (100,000 lux) and are available with an intensity from 2500 lux upwards. 'Daylight' or full spectrum lamps are also available but do not provide nearly enough intensity of light to produce a difference, therefore a specialist lamp should always be used.
A fabulous and easy solution to reducing the symptoms of SAD and increasing feelings of wellbeing is a dawn simulator. Personal experience of this product for over two years has made me realise how indispensible this is to wake up to. This bedside lamp starts (as programmed) from a warm glow up to 30 minutes prior to the desired wake-up time and gradually increases in brightness so that you wake feeling ready and alert in a room awash with brilliant 'sun' light. The increasing light level is a natural cue for your body to reduce the production of sleep hormones making you more prepared to wake without feeling groggy. Another major benefit is that your body is already awake prior to the shrill of an alarm clock, creating a much gentler start to the day.
Recognising the comfort of this type of lighting, Lumie (www.lumie.com) have also produced a lamp geared towards children. This provides a wonderful night time effect as they are placed in their beds for sleep and the light levels fade gently over the set period of time – no more being scared of the dark as they should be sound asleep by the time the light levels have dropped to nothing or been pre-set to a nightlight glow.
The dynamics of ever changing daylight conditions cannot be underestimated which is why a walk in the park or even a gaze through the windows will provide the stimulation required to keep us awake and happy through winter.
The dynamics of ever changing daylight conditions cannot be underestimated which is why a walk in the park or even a gaze through the windows will provide the stimulation required to keep us awake and happy through winter.
Happy Lighting!
RW.
posted by Light IQ @ Tuesday, February 05, 2008 
Post a Comment