Light Therapy During the Winter Seasons

It is now or never to chase away the passing blues or the seasonal depression with the help of light therapy.

A quarter of the population sees their life turned upside down by the season’s rhythm, where as 2 or 3% of people suffer a severe depression due to this time of year.

Someone suffering from seasonal depressions have a tendancy to see their appetite increase, have a taste for sugar and have an excessive need for sleep.

As the symptoms are different to a regular depression, Dr Marc Hébert researcher and professor at Laval Robert Giffard University, thinks it is necessary to treat patients differently.

“Contrary to what many people think the eye is not an external organ, but an extention of the brain” explains Dr Hébert.

Seratonine and dopamine are the two most common neurotransmitters that are directly linked to the humour.

Light therapy, lux therapy or photo therapy consists of exposure to an intense light at eye level of 5000 to 10 000 lux (light unities), in controled conditions.

The cost of renting deducted if the person decides to buy the lamp.

The use of a light therapy lamp can be diversified, because the user can stay active during sessions.

Sure it is firstly recommended to consult a doctor so as to decide if the problem which is affecting the person is actually seasonal depression.

If the idea of being exposed to artificail light puts you off, nothing stops you from changing your habits and going to enjoy the sun summer or winter.

It must be known that the sun produces 100 000 lux during the summer, but the intensity of the light is lower in winter, so only 20 000 lux on average.