Seasonal Affective Disorder: Treating It Naturally
Seasonal Affective Disorder, commonly abbreviated SAD, is a disorder that can cause much suffering. It occurs during the shorter days of winter and is also more acute for those in living in elevated altitudes. The decrease in exposure of natural sunlight causes depression during the winter months. Some typical symptoms are fatigue, aches and pains in the body, and overall melancholy.
You can use a number of techniques for dealing with SAD. There are those who choose to take medicines. While some are successful, others are not, and these drugs are also accompanied by certain side effects. One can also turn to the natural remedies that are on the market to cope with Seasonal Affective Disorder.
One of the simplist natural remedies is light therapy. Light therapy involves purchasing a special light. This light replicates the rays of the sun. The person suffering from SAD sits in front of this light with their eyes open. This light is not found in normal incandescent household lights, and must be purchased exclusively for this type of therapy.
The way that light therapy works is this: when light mimics the natural light of outdoors, it makes a biochemical alteration in the brain which has been proven to lift one's spirits. It may relieve symptoms of the disorder.
One great thing about utilizing this type of therapy is that you can buy the natural light over the counter - no need to get a prescription or go through lots of testing. There have also not been any side affects associated with this type of treatment. There really aren't any reasons not to try it and so many reasons why you should give it a shot!
Whatever type of therapy you decide to try in your battle against this seasonal depression, it is important to keep in mind that it it treatable. Tons of people suffer from this disorder and find ways to diminish the affects it has on their bodies. Through proactive techniques such as light therapy, you can even prevent its effects altogether each season. When you see the days start to become shorter, simply turn on your light.
It can be hard to handle symptoms of seasonal affective disorder. SAD is triggered when hours of daylight become less plentiful during the winter months, and can hit people in high latitudes particularly hard. Light therapy is one of the most straightforward and natural solutions for people who suffer from this disorder. When the light mimics outdoor, natural light, it creates a biochemical change in your brain that leads to a positive frame of mind. A particular benefit of this therapy is that the lights are available without a prescription. Also, this style of treatment doesn't usually lead to side effects.
- Frank Barnett
