Winter Blues

Have you noticed a change in your mood? A sluggishness that has started ever since that ever-aggravating Daylight Saving Time? If so, you're not alone. Winter blues are a real thing felt by both animals and humans. And days away from the Winter Solstice - the shortest day of the year - what do you do? Luckily, there is a simple solution - more light. Sounds silly, I know, but it's real. So if you're able to get out earlier, in brighter light, do it! And if you live in New England, like I do, maybe even that won't be enough. Enter therapy lights - an amazing invention brought to us by the needs of astronauts, years ago.

What are therapy lights? Exactly what they sound like - specially designed lamps that mimic the brightness and span of color as the sun. I get asked all the time how to buy a therapy light and it's easy. Amazon or any other online site can offer them. What you're looking for is a lamp that provides at least 10,000 lux (the measurement of the brightness of light). Amazon has several. Personally, I prefer the Verilux lamps. They're inexpensive and easy to get.

And then what? Use the lamp for 10 - 15 minutes as early in the day as you can. The lamp should be about 12 - 18 inches from your face. Do not stare at the lamp! Sitting with them is the perfect opportunity to eat your breakfast or scroll through your phone. That's it! Useful for helping with low mood that might come on seasonally, but also with sleep regulation - who knew that the body gets confused sometimes by when it should sleep? With so much time indoors and on bright devices, it's no wonder.