Pages

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Meet My New Boyfriend


There are less expensive SAD lights on the market (my boyfriend is currently selling at Amazon for $162) but I went with a recommendation from a friend on this purchase and am glad I did. One of the aspects I liked is that the manufacturer provides an online assessment tool which makes recommendations about when and how long to use the light. I also like that it's light and portable. Built in timer, lots of settings, blah blah blah. I turn it on for 30 minutes and then I turn it off. Easy!

With so many of my friends (in life and on the 'net) reporting increased depression this season, I can't help feeling that something in the way the seasons changed this year was very jarring to those of us with any predilection toward depression. Looking back, I was definitely showing effects as early as late September, though I didn't realize I was in trouble until mid-November.

Please listen to yourselves, and trust what you are feeling. Please take steps if you think they are needed. Whether it's light therapy, meds, or daily yoga, do what makes you feel better. You deserve it.

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

And what makes this SAD light male, pray tell?

There does seem to be much depression around, but I had attributed it to the economy and the sad state of the world. Your observations about the changing seasons are intriguing.

Marcia

RuthWells said...

"And what makes this SAD light male, pray tell?"

The better to tease Michael with, of course. ; )

Anonymous said...

Hmmm. I want one.

Domestic Goddess said...

I've been thinking about this one quite a bit. I"m wondering if it would help. I'm in a funk so deep I don't even feel like getting ready for the holidays, which is SUPER RARE for this hostess-with-the-mostest.

Magpie said...

What time of day do you use it? When it's daylight or dark?

RuthWells said...

To answer Magpie publicly, I use it in the mid-evening -- usually between 7:30 and 8:30. I used it on the later side last night (around 9) and had a really terrible night's sleep. Lesson learned...

yellaphant said...

OMG I need this! For reals! Especially for what I can only assume is going to be an absolutely horrible, totally horrendous, outrageously bad first winter in New England. Help me, gah.

Momish said...

Thanks for this! I am a classic SAD case. My therapist suggested one of these, but I wasn't sure which one or where to go. This is within my budget!