Lighting can add personality to a room and help to set moods. Research now shows that proper lighting can also help us sleep better and relieve certain types of depression such as seasonal affective disorder, or SAD.
About 30 million Americans suffer from some form of SAD, which can cause varying levels of depression during months with less light. Fortunately, there is a new treatment available known as light therapy.
Before Neil Owens discovered light therapy, he became more withdrawn and less focused as the days grew shorter. "Come September, I found that I needed more sleep," Neil says. "I gained weight from junk food, I lost my concentration, and I withdrew from friends and family. I just wanted be left alone."
Now Neil spends 20 minutes each day sitting in front of a light box, which provides high levels of full-spectrum light in an isolated area.
"Within three days of the light therapy, I felt so much better," Neil says. "I get up on time, I don't have cravings for junk food, and I have more energy. I feel like I'm back to being myself."
Dr. Norman Rosenthal, director of seasonal studies at the National Institutes of Health and author of Winter Blues, says the focus of light therapy is shifting from the quality of light to the quantity of light.
"The research indicates that it's not the color of the light or the spectrum of the light that's important," says Dr. Rosenthal. "The key to the success of the light fixtures is that they provide a tremendous amount of light in one place, and that seems to be very important for mood regulation."
In the 1970s, the focus on energy conservation caused builders to reduce the size of windows. They didn't realize that it would affect people's moods. Now SAD sufferers can help overcome their depression by installing as many skylights and windows as possible into their homes.
"The amount of natural light that you're exposed to can really make a difference in how you feel," says Neil.
Resources National Institute of Mental Health
National Institute of Mental Health
Bldg. 10, Room 3S231
Bethesda, MD 20892
USA
Phone: 301-496-2141
full spectrum lighting (light bulbs, light boxes, etc.)
full spectrum lighting (light bulbs, light boxes, etc.)
The SunBox Company
19217 Orbit Dr.
Gaithersburg, MD 20879-4149
USA
Phone: 301-869-5980
Toll Free Phone: 800-548-3968
Fax: 301-977-2281
Email:
sunbox@aol.com
URL:
www.sunboxco.com
Guests Dr. Norman Rosenthal
Researcher and Physician
National Institute of Mental Health
6001 Executive Blvd, Rm. 8184, MSC 9663
Bethesda, MD 20892-9663
Phone: 301-496-2141
URL:
www.nimh.nih.gov/home.cfm
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