Some scientists argue that SAD came about as a winter evolution mechanism in human beings, specifically a variation of hibernation in some distant ancestor. Theoretically, food was hard to come by during this time of the year and a tendency towards low mood may have been used adaptively to cut back on caloric intake.
Another possible explanation is that snow season naturally leads to drastic reduction of Vitamin D in the body, given that insufficient amounts of Ultraviolet-B rays are reaching the skin. This is believed to trigger depression in the long run.
Physical exercise is one of the most effective forms of treatment for this malady, particularly when combined with other alternative remedies such as bright light therapy. In a certain control test, patients who maintained a regular training regime of about 20 min per day witnessed faster recovery than the rest. Making scientists to conclude that regular training actually helps in curbing the effects of SAD.
Alternatively, -VE air ionization technique can be used instead of the above method. This technology is meant to mimic summer-like conditions by gradually supplementing the sparse winter ion ratio, the machine can be bought from authorized stores online.
Though some air-purifiers currently being sold in the market utilize negative ion dispensation, experts warn that average dosage of ions delivered by standard home purifiers are way too low to trigger any antidepressant effects.
You can either purchase a lightbox over-the-counter or have a physician recommend one for you, keep in mind that most health insurance policies don’t cover this cost. SAD light boxes that are available from internet retailers and physical stores come in varying shapes and sizes, each with its own unique features.
The intensity of radiance produced may also differ based on overall size of your product. Most light therapy boxes are designed for maximum safety and effectiveness, though not approved by the FDA. It’s important to buy yours from a trusted and well-known dealer so as to avoid unnecessary disappointments.
Note that only a few select therapy lanterns are designed to help treat SAD, others are more effective in curing skin diseases as they emit more ultraviolet rays than their counterparts, and can possibly damage your retina if used inappropriately.
When determining your most preferred box, find out whether it’s designed to emit dim or bright light. The latter would require less time of use per day so as to achieve similar levels of effectiveness as the former, if you’re still in doubt on which is the best version to use then consult with a healthcare giver for recommendations.
A good product should be able to filter out excess UV light, therefore, always watch out for boxes that emit as minimal ultraviolet rays as possible. This is the only way you can be sure of getting proper healing. Contact the official manufacturer for safety hints on how to use your product correctly, this is the best way to reap the most out of it.
Traditionally, these merchandises have used incandescent lighting and fluorescent technology, but some creators are becoming more inventive and selling light boxes that run on light-emitting diodes or LED. The choice of which variety to use still depends on you.
