The shift of the earth on its axis affects more than the number of hours of light in a day; it can also do a number on a person’s mood.
UNH Health Services has been helping to combat the problem of the wintertime blues, better known as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), with free light therapy sessions offered to students, faculty and staff.
According to Kathleen Grace - Bishop, director of education and promotion, the sessions involve a person sitting in a room in the health services in front of special florescent lamps that deliver more light than a person would receive naturally during the day. The lights put out between 2,500 to 10,000 lux and can cause no harm to the participant. People are invited to study or simply relax in front of the light, and can stay anywhere from 15 minutes to two hours.
“20 minutes is a good average,” Grace-Bishop said.
Symptoms of SAD include increased appetite, irritability, sadness, social issues, difficulty concentrating, stress and poorer quality sleep. Therapy is recommended daily and as early in the day as possible for the patient. Symptoms tend to begin in late fall and last into the spring.
Many find that they see a change within two weeks of starting therapy sessions, but Grace-Bishop mentioned that for some it might not be the only answer. She expressed getting outside during daylight hours, keeping physically active, eating well and managing stress as ideas on how to make the therapy more effective.
The lamps are affordable, ranging from $250 to $600 depending on the quality and brightness. This allows for the service to remain free and Grace-Bishop has even found that some students go and purchase a lamp for use in their home.
The number of people with SAD fluctuates from year to year depending on the quality of the weather. According to Grace-Bishop, research has found that younger individuals, women and those who live in higher latitudes are the most likely to feel the effects of SAD.
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