Vince_Condella's Blog

We are now entering the winter doldrums even though the snow hasn't piled up yet.  The lack of daylight is the tough part.  Now that we are back on Standard Time, our sunrise occurs around 6:40 a.m. and the Sun sets near 4:30 p.m.  That is less than 10 hours of daylight.  Perhaps the toughest to take is the early sunset.  By the time dinnertime rolls around, most of us are ready for bed.

Lack of daylight may be a contributor to Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), a depressive state that is felt by millions of people each winter.  Some believe the reason for feeling low during the winter is the lack of seratonin.  Others think it is caused by the production of melatonin which is produced in dim light and darkness by the pineal gland.

Use of a full spectrum light box may help many people battle SAD.  We have one here in the FOX 6 Forecast Office.  It is simply a desk lamp we keep near one of the computers.  Many people report relief from SAD by simply sitting in the presence of this full spectrum light but not looking directly at it.

SAD has often been reported in Nordic Countries.  Close to the Arctic Circle, residents of these countries experience far lesser amounts of daylight than we do in the winter.  Dr. Norman Rosenthal first proposed SAD here in the United States after he moved from South Africa to New York City and noted how sluggish he felt in winter.  He experimented with bright light exposure and it seemed to help him.

If the lack of daylight and the cold temperatures seem to bring you down, SAD may be the cause.  You are not alone and there are treatments available.  I encourage you to consult a mental health professional, and you may find the cure may be as simple as a dose of full spectrum light.