Seasonal Depression has been recognized as a powerful influence in our seasonal health and wellbeing. Many are affected by this condition, bringing sleep disorders, low energy, poor mood, and sometimes a crippling decrease in energy.

What is seasonal depression? Seasonal Affective Disorder, or S.A.D. occurs when the days shorten and the exposure to natural light decreases. In some areas such as Finland or Seattle, Washington there are a higher number of cloudy days. Excessive low light days can increase the symptoms of seasonal depression.

Most of us work a 9 to 5 job, and during the winter months we do not receive enough natural light. Working in an office building often translates to fluorescent lighting and insufficient sunlight. Weather conditions don't promote spending time outdoors. How does this affect us? We react with a bad mood, fatigue, and an inability to concentrate. What causes these mood swings and energy drops? Melatonin, a natural substance produced by our brain.

A common treatment for seasonal affective disorder, or S.A.D., is bright light therapy. These units use specially designed ballasts and lights that provide the high-intensity light needed to trigger the decrease of melatonin in the body. Melatonin is a sleep drug naturally created by the body. During the day Melatonin causes decreased energy, lethargic mood, and sleepiness.

A good quality therapeutic light unit will produce the light equivalent to one hundred 100 watt light bulbs, without the heat that would be produced by regular incandescent bulbs. This may seem like an excessive amount of light, but it is far less than the lux or light output produced by the sun on a clear day.

During the daytime, or more correctly, when we are exposed to light, our production of melatonin decreases. With insufficient light the body does not receive the signal it needs for regulation of energy and wakefulness.

Will you notice a difference using therapy bright lights? Many report an increase in their energy soon after starting their bright light treatments. Mood and depression level out, and the brain functions more clearly with a stronger ability to concentrate.

If you are considering using therapeutic bright light therapy to improve your mood and energy level there are a few concepts to consider. The type of unit you purchase should be considered, with an output of light that is sufficient to stimulate the brain. Inexpensive units may not provide a sufficient amount of light. You should also check with your doctor or eye care specialist, as light therapy should not be used if by those with certain eye conditions.

You can use therapeutic bright lights as a part of your usual routines. Read the paper or a book during your session, or use it as a quality light for applying makeup or shaving. Use it while eating your breakfast, and think about how much higher your energy will be throughout the day. Brighten up your day with therapeutic bright lights.