Several years ago I bought this light box. I needed it and it has helped me every fall and winter season since.
When I bought this light box it was at a time in my life where it became CLEAR there was a pattern with my mood changing every fall. Every year as the days got shorter and darkness was settling in, my mood would shift to a more negative mindset. I would start sleeping more, but still felt fatigued upon waking. My appetite would change and I’d start eating more carbohydrates, baked goods and larger portions. My level of energy would plummet to near nothing. I’d start drinking more coffee instead of water to try and remedy my fatigue. I would try to get myself outside, but the negative mindset was nearly impossible to to overcome.
“There is a deep link between sunlight exposure and depression. The brain gauges how much sunlight you get each day and it uses that to reset your internal body clock.
As you can imagine without enough light exposure the body clock gets out of sync.
When that happens it throws off certain circadian rhythm’s that regulate energy sleep appetite and hormone levels. The disruption of these internal rhythms can trigger depression
Natural daylight is 100 times better than indoor light and because of that 30 minutes of daylight can reset your internal clock.” The Depression Cure by Stephen S. Ilardi, Ph.D.
I had a repetitive pattern and it was time to do something about it. I had observed it long enough to finally take action and actively do something about it. Taking action to remedy something is not easy when you have the self talk in your head. I was really frustrated and kinda pissed at myself. I felt like I was weak (for not being able to control the changes in my body) and stupid (for not taking action and doing what I knew I had learned would help). I had to empower myself with tools to help combat this Seasonal Mood Change. Some call this Seasonal Affective Disorder aka S.A.D. I came up with a term last evening and will now be calling it the “Fall Funk”.
Now when fall is around the corner I am more mindful and start setting myself up for combatting the FALL FUNK. Below are a list of things that help with S.A.D. And depression.
1: Increase your omega 3 fatty acids daily. Supplements and Food
2. Participate in engaging activities with others
3: Get physical exercise on a regular basis. (Outside is a bonus)
4: Get sunlight exposure at least 30 minutes every day. This needs to be face and forearms exposed. Or you can try light box therapy (research this one).
5: Reach out and maintain social connections : we become more secluded in the winter months and depression gets worse.
6: Enhance your sleep (research good sleep habits)
This particular blog is about the light therapy and how it has been a practice I embrace daily. If I can’t or don’t get outside for my light therapy then this “HappyLight” of mine will help create the shine in my day.
Listen to my inspiring ending.
Loving Energy,
Empowered Elizabeth 🍁
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