Light Therapy: A Practical Treatment for Seasonal Depression

Winter weather got you down? There may be a good reason for that.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is thought to affect around 10 million Americans each year. It’s a form of depression that is triggered by low daylight exposure, which is why it tends to appear in fall, winter, and early spring months. Light exposure governs our circadian rhythm, and when we aren’t getting enough, it impacts our body’s production of melatonin and serotonin, natural substances that help regulate our sleep and mood.