Lighten Up: The Science Behind Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and Light Therapy | Praise Podcast

When sunlight fades earlier, for some, it can dim internal brightness as well. Learn what Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is, along with tips that may help.

https://momo634.com/p/science-behind-seasonal-affective-disorder-sad

#bible #bibleverses #bibleverse #motivation #motivational #inspirational #inspiration #prayer #dailybibleverse #faith #inspirationalquotes #MotivationalQuotes #depression #anxiety #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #SAD #SeasonalAffectiveDisorder #timechange #fallback

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00:00:00 --> 00:00:02 When sunlight fades earlier,

00:00:02 --> 00:00:03 for some,

00:00:03 --> 00:00:06 it can dim internal brightness as well.

00:00:07 --> 00:00:11 Tune in for a primer on Seasonal Affective Disorder,

00:00:11 --> 00:00:12 or SAD,

00:00:13 --> 00:00:14 and some tips.

00:00:17 --> 00:00:18 Hello,

00:00:18 --> 00:00:19 and welcome to Momo 634,

00:00:19 --> 00:00:25 the daily podcast chock full of faith-filled inspiration and motivation.

00:00:26 --> 00:00:28 Please like, share, and subscribe.

00:00:29 --> 00:00:34 Momo 634, motivational moments just for today.

00:00:48 --> 00:00:54 It's time, pun intended, to prepare for our clocks to fall back.

00:00:55 --> 00:00:56 That means,

00:00:56 --> 00:00:59 for those prone to seasonal affective disorder,

00:00:59 --> 00:01:00 or SAD,

00:01:00 --> 00:01:02 prep work is needed.

00:01:03 --> 00:01:07 Approximately 10 million Americans experience seasonal

00:01:07 --> 00:01:10 affective disorder every year.

00:01:10 --> 00:01:14 That's roughly the population of London.

00:01:15 --> 00:01:16 Why does it happen?

00:01:18 --> 00:01:21 The science indicates reduced sunlight exposure.

00:01:22 --> 00:01:25 Less light can throw off one's circadian rhythm and interfere

00:01:25 --> 00:01:26 with serotonin and

00:01:27 --> 00:01:28 melatonin production,

00:01:28 --> 00:01:32 two chemicals that help to regulate mood and sleep.

00:01:34 --> 00:01:36 According to the National Institute of Mental Health,

00:01:37 --> 00:01:42 this disruption can lead to depressive symptoms that last four

00:01:42 --> 00:01:43 to five months each

00:01:43 --> 00:01:43 year.

00:01:45 --> 00:01:48 SAD is four times more common in women than men,

00:01:49 --> 00:01:52 and it often starts between ages 18 and 30.

00:01:54 --> 00:01:55 Geography also plays a role.

00:01:56 --> 00:01:58 People living in northern latitudes,

00:01:58 --> 00:02:00 where winter days are shorter,

00:02:00 --> 00:02:02 are more likely to be affected.

00:02:04 --> 00:02:07 How can you tell if it's seasonal affective disorder and not

00:02:07 --> 00:02:09 just the winter blois?

00:02:10 --> 00:02:11 Look for patterns.

00:02:12 --> 00:02:15 Do these symptoms show up around the same time each year?

00:02:15 --> 00:02:18 Do they interfere with your daily life?

00:02:19 --> 00:02:23 If yes, it's worth talking to a mental health professional.

00:02:24 --> 00:02:28 Early diagnosis can make a huge difference.

00:02:30 --> 00:02:32 Preparation is key.

00:02:33 --> 00:02:36 One science-backed approach is light therapy.

00:02:37 --> 00:02:43 Light therapy involves sitting near a 10 lux light box for

00:02:43 --> 00:02:44 20 to 30 minutes

00:02:44 --> 00:02:45 each morning,

00:02:46 --> 00:02:50 mimicking natural sunlight to help regulate mood and circadian rhythms.

00:02:52 --> 00:02:56 I'm linking the Verilux light therapy lamp below because it

00:02:56 --> 00:02:57 meets the clinical

00:02:57 --> 00:02:59 standard for effective light therapy.

00:03:01 --> 00:03:04 It has UV-free and full-spectrum LED,

00:03:05 --> 00:03:07 safe for eyes and skin,

00:03:07 --> 00:03:12 delivering natural-feeling light that supports mood and circadian rhythm

00:03:12 --> 00:03:13 regulation.

00:03:14 --> 00:03:20 I'm also linking the statistics and dataset with sources cited

00:03:21 --> 00:03:22 below this episode

00:03:22 --> 00:03:25 at momo634.com,

00:03:25 --> 00:03:28 as well as previous episodes on SAD.

00:03:29 --> 00:03:31 I'm not a clinician,

00:03:31 --> 00:03:35 so please check with a care provider or mental health

00:03:35 --> 00:03:36 professional.

00:03:37 --> 00:03:40 Also, please note the affiliate links that are used.

00:03:41 --> 00:03:45 I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you

00:03:46 --> 00:03:47 if you shop through

00:03:47 --> 00:03:50 the affiliate links provided below this episode.

00:03:51 --> 00:03:55 It's a true blessing that we live in such an age where so much

00:03:55 --> 00:03:56 is known about the

00:03:56 --> 00:03:58 cause of seasonal affective disorder.

00:03:59 --> 00:04:03 If you or someone you know has seasonal affective disorder,

00:04:04 --> 00:04:08 please chime in below with your experiences and let others know

00:04:08 --> 00:04:09 what's helped you.

00:04:12 --> 00:04:18 Thanks for listening to Momo 634, motivational moments just for today.

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