Heh. A new use for LJ

[ar_wahan]

Out of curiosity, I just went back through some entries I made a year ago about this time. I have been feeling kind of low the last few days in terms of mood (not blood glucose!). Sure enough, here's what I wrote exactly one year ago today:

"I think I *am* starting to get Seasonal Affective Disorder again, however. Dragged the Apollo litebook out of storage and will try to use it tomorrow."

I was wondering if I'd been feeling the same way a year ago as I am now. I also wonder if in late August, there is a brief acceleration of the shortening of the daylight hours, just as there is in early December.

EDIT: This is a link to the device I babble about...

http://www.apollolight.com/golite.html

Comments

[el-jefe59.livejournal.com]

A "Eureka!" moment, eh?

[skyearthandsea.livejournal.com]

I don't know what an appollo litebook is. . . but I do have SAD and (along with medication) this is what I've done:

Do you know those new light bulbs that look like coils? They fit in all of your regular fixtures, but they are about 13w instead of like 100w, so they use far less electricity. At Lowe's I can get those that are made "for crafting" and they are full spectrum. I use those in ALL of my light fixtures and I use them ALL year round so the light is consistent.

It has made a tremendous difference in my SAD and it takes a serious chunk out of your electric bill. :P

I also found that sleeping during the day and staying up at night (since I do it for work) has helped. My guess is that it's the consistency. If I'm nocturnal, night is always the same and my body doesn't recognize shorter days, etc. So, I'm up at night with my artificial full spectrum bulbs and it's for the same time every night all year round. I'm sure that's not doable for you, but my point is that I believe it's the *changes* in light that bring it on and it is possible to avoid them and get relief.

Anyway, I hope you feel better soon. If you ever need someone to talk to about it, I'm easy to get ahold of. My email address is the same name I use here @yahoo.com ;)

[ar-wahan.livejournal.com]

Thanks! An Apollo Litebook is a tiny version of the light boxes that have the lights to treat SAD, only in this case, it is blue light wave therapy instead of full spectrum. My daughter has had SAD, too; her therapist recommended a light box, and I bought one two years ago. It definitely helps. I use it for 15 minutes in the morning.

It's this thing...

[ar-wahan.livejournal.com]

(I paid a lot less at Costco.)

http://www.apollolight.com/golite.html

[starlitemoon.livejournal.com]

At least you were wise enough to go back and check. I probably wouldn't have thought of it. Now you have a direction to concentrate on, which is good. Good for you!! And by the way-I've missed your entries while I was away. (((HUGS)))