Are You S.A.D.? My Happy Winter Story
I’m livelier than usual during this Winter of 2020 / 2021. Normally, I am very glum this time of the year. The winter blues is a real thing for me.
What’s different? Reviewing my year, Covid seems to be at the root of it! Tracing back, I realize that I’ve been using Zoom which is not something I’ve done before. And, because of that, I’ve been using my ‘HappyLite’ as front lighting for my Zoom meetings. And, ... I’ve had a lot of Zoom meetings. As a result, it’s built-up my happy hormones.
As the days grew shorter and early darkness prevailed, I used it more and more as my source of anything that reminded me of a sunny day. Over the short days and long dark months, I maintained my summer sunny disposition. So ... Covid has had a positive affect on my mood. What a revelation!
My Winter Morning Routine
20+ years ago I received the official diagnosis of S.A.D. way before it became a trending topic. One of my prescriptions was to start using my ‘HappyLite’ in September. Well, I never did get around to setting-it-up until mid-October or November. It helped, but still felt I was dragging myself from point A to B and consuming double-double espressos every morning. As the days grew shorter my consumption of espresso grew. And, so did my upset tummy. Coffee is acidic.
Once I’m up, I turn on every light fixture in the condo. Anything to jolt me into productivity.
Side-note: The lights stay on until bedtime. For sleep, I have black-out roller blinds and wear a sleep mask. We sleep and rest best in total darkness. I have now added meditation and sleep affirmations to my routine.
Lighting and Interior Design
My ‘HappyLite’ puts out 10,000 lux of bright light of sunshine simulation. I use it to pick-out paint and fabric colours. Different lighting sources whether incandescent, warm fluorescent, or warm LED or sunshine – colours look different and affects each colour and material differently. So the ‘HappyLite’ is very useful.
This ‘HappyLite’ is a behemoth, measuring 14”wide x 22”high x 3 ½”deep and weighing a couple of pounds, it’s awkward and needs to be parked near a 3 prong outlet. Now they make them in a variety of ‘smaller’ sizes – desk lamps, saunas and eye glasses. It’s been a worthwhile personal and business investment. I’ll be buying a mobile model to use outside the office.
What Does This Have To Do With Design?
Everything! It makes me productive, sensitive to environments, empathetic to those that suffer from environmental conditions and a master at choosing colours and materials. All things are materials that have colour.
Orchids and Happiness
As a side project, in November, I decided to gather all my plants and orchids place them in front of the ‘HappyLite’ from 6pm to 8am. I didn’t think it was doing much until one day, I noticed that my orchids were growing new stems and had buds. Wow – what a delight. I’ll have home grown orchids for the winter!
Also, upon rising and removing my sleep mask, I enjoyed seeing the glimmer of my faux-sun emanating from the next room. Much the same feeling I experience during the spring and summer months. It made it easer to get-up-and-going in the morning.
So ... Covid and Zooming has produced some benefits from this quarantining, isolation, sequestering in place during our many lockdowns.
And soon, very soon – I’ll travel to a sunny climate and lay there – blissfully – enjoying the best ‘happy light’ of them all – the universal Master ‘Happy Light’ …
The SUN !!!
A Very Brief Overview Of Light Therapy
Light therapy (Phototherapy / Bright light therapy)
Light therapy is a simple, medically recognized, efficient treatment to fight Seasonal Affective
Disorder (SAD), the milder winter blues, jet lag, PMS and some sleep disorders.
Light therapy involves the use of a specially designed lamp that delivers 5,000 to 10,000 lux of bright light. Preferably, 3,000-Degree Kelvin. Use in the morning, for 20 to 60 minutes.
Note: Full spectrum lamps contain more UV, more purple and blue light. These can be irritating and harmful to the skin and eyes.
Treatment starts early in autumn, before the usual onset of symptoms.
This light impacts on the retina, the signal is transmitted via the optic nerve, eventually reaching the pineal gland. This gland controls the secretion of melatonin.
Get as much light as possible and avoid dark environments during daylight hours in winter.
Benefits Of Light Therapy :
Dr. Norman E. Rosenthal's book "Winter Blues" and describes the relief that light therapy can bring to SAD sufferers:
While on light therapy, people typically feel more energetic. Suddenly, chores and daily activities no longer feel like drudgery.
Along with a physical sense of lightness, the burden of living, of carrying your body around from place to place, seems to lift, and the overwhelming need to sleep subsides. Suddenly, you feel less driven by cravings for sweet and starches. Cakes and candy bars become resistible. Even dieting seems possible again!
Thinking becomes more efficient. No longer does your mind creak along like an old machine in need of oiling. Your computer is up and running again. Computations and calculations are possible, and new ideas spring readily to mind. You think of tackling problems in ways that hadn't occurred to you before.
Exercise becomes less onerous - no longer does that trip to the gym, that walk, jog, aerobics class, or exercise seem like a mountainous obstacle.
There is once again a wish to communicate, to call friends, write notes, arrange trips to the movies, ball game, or the theater. Sex seems not only possible but even desirable. In short, you feel human again".
This says it all. And the remainder of Winter 2021 will be the sunniest of all.
PS and Note:
Please do not substitute my research and experience for your own. Do your own research and decide what’s best for you.
Be wise. Be safe. D
Dolores Pian is a Master Interior Designer who crafts luxury residences, penthouses and purse parking. Successful people seek her expertise to Design Reclaiming Time ©
Because time is their truest luxury.
Drop her an e-mail to say hello and let her know what you thought of this blog post.