The FAST Cure For Winter Blues

By Dr. Richard Gerhauser, M.D. Posted December 22, 2017

For people suffering from season affective disorder, the holidays are anything but “merry and bright.”

Seasonal affective disorder—appropriately abbreviated SAD—is a type of depression that rears its head during the winter months, when the days turn shorter and darker.

Telltale symptoms include fatigue, low moods, lack of motivation, and craving carbohydrates.

Lots of folks will tell you to just “tough it out,” and that you’ll feel better in a few months.

Well, I think that’s nonsense… and it’s no way to live.

In fact, I have a simple fix for SAD and the winter blues.

And it takes just minutes a day. 

SAD occurs during the winter months.

It’s also more likely to occur the farther away you get from the equator.

The connection? Lack of sunlight.

Light is absolutely necessary for controlling your mood.

For starters, it sets your circadian rhythm. When this internal clock gets disrupted, it can lead to symptoms of depression.

When you don’t get enough sunlight, melatonin levels rise, which triggers sleepiness and lack of motivation.

Lack of sunlight can cause the hypothalamus gland to produce less of the feel-good chemical serotonin.

Sunlight is also important for getting enough vitamin D—another essential factor in preventing depression.

Since lack of light is the underlying cause of SAD, getting more light is the best way to treat it. You have two good treatment options:

Hands down, the best way to accomplish this is by spending time in the sun. ALWAYS see the sunrise without any obstruction (no glasses, no windows, etc.). We are designed to see 25,000 sunrises in a lifetime. If you are behind, there is a high priority to catch up. 
 

It’s also important to get the mid-morning sun light in the eyes unobstructed. Even though the sun at high latitude in winter won’t stimulate vitamin D production, it still sets circadian rhythm, releases hormones, and stimulates dopamine production.
 

The Sperti Vitamin D Light Box can be used in a pinch and will improve vitamin D levels—which helps depression, but no man-made light replaces the sun. 
 

To a brighter day,

Dr. Richard Gerhauser, M.D.

P.S. Some doctors will recommend light therapy for SAD. Not me. These lights are primarily blue light and ultimately do more harm than good. The human eye simply isn't designed to see the blue spectrum alone. 

Written By Dr. Richard Gerhauser, M.D.

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