It's SAD time again

[sabrinamari]

Time to get out my light boxes. This year, I'd love to have a visor---I tried vgnwtch's last year and it was delightfully yummy. All that warm, sensual, white-hot light enveloping me, yet allowing me the freedom to move. Perfect.

But alas, they are expensive. At least some research suggests they are actually elaborate placebos, which does not bother me at all---I think placebos are a ridiculously underused resource. Since most have no side effects, what ARE clinicians thinking when they dismiss these valuable tools? Silly providers. Besides, visors *feel* so comforting!

My only issue is their high cost. So I will troll about, looking for an unloved, sale-priced white-light visor. I will be patient. In the meantime, it's up ridiculously early for me, hanging out in front of the sunbox, and then off to the gym, because in winter's cold embrace, only light, heat and intense exercise make life possible, recreating the sun's glory as it eases away from us. Mmmmm, warm, white-hot light.

Comments

[radiant-one.livejournal.com]

Sweetie, do you recommend a shop to purchase light boxes from? I've not investigated this before but it might be a good thing for me and a friend. *HUGS*

[faedaughter.livejournal.com]

Costco usually has the Apollo brand Go-Lites in stock starting about now. I checked last week and they have them here. Don't know if there are Costcos in you area or if you are a member but it would save you some $$.

[ingridsummers.livejournal.com]

Thank you for reminding me that I really need to get PG-13's light box up and running. I'm hoping that she's old enough this year to understand the value and will voluntarily use it. If not, well, I'll turn it on in her room when I start her waking up process - at least it will seem like the sun is up to her reluctant-to-get-out-of-bed body.

[faedaughter.livejournal.com]

You can use the new ones as alarms clocks and they make this pleasant chiming song rather than the usual annoying blare(which thicknwild can't sleep through so I don't use it for that)and of course the light comes on.

[badseed1980.livejournal.com]

At least some research suggests they are actually elaborate placebos, which does not bother me at all---I think placebos are a ridiculously underused resource. Since most have no side effects, what ARE clinicians thinking when they dismiss these valuable tools? Silly providers.

AGREED! As long as people aren't using placebos in such a way that they are avoiding doing things that could actually cure an illness or heal an injury, I think they're awesome. I've had people tell me that they think reiki is a placebo. I say, if I have a headache for no apparent reason and I do reiki and it goes away, who the f*** cares if it's a placebo?

And on that note, I think my poor sore quads could use a little reiki right now.

[cudubh.livejournal.com]

I sometimes think that clinicians are quick to jump at the "placebo" label. When something works, but they don't necessarily understand "how" it works or it may be working in a way different from what they are expecting, they are willing to say "it's all in their head" rather than say "no idea how this works". Of course shrugs and dumb looks don't get funding.

[sabrinamari.livejournal.com]

Yeah, that's true. Research designs that incorporate concrete outcomes measure get funding, even when measuring "outcomes" is the wrong approach.

[siobhra.livejournal.com]

Not just concrete outcomes. Just say what they want to hear. Did you ever notice that at the end of almost every story from a science center is the line "Of course, more research is needed"? I am a researcher and I publish an article about global warming is real and say more research is needed and bang money comes in to let me study some more. Or if I publish an article about how it is just a hoax and say the same thing at the end and then watch the big polluters just throw money at me.
Of course the lights are just placebo's. Drug companies have more money to support people who will say that drugs are real and work and light boxes are just a placebo.

[siobhra.livejournal.com]

What's wrong with SAD? That is so not like you to put anyone down like that. I am upset with you.









Yours, Siobhra Aradia DeWar
Or just use my initials. SAD

[siobhra.livejournal.com]

Of course, before I changed my name it was Michael but that was making me MAD.

[sabrinamari.livejournal.com]

hee hee

[sabrinamari.livejournal.com]

Laughing...I didn't get it at first.

[phillyfyre.livejournal.com]

something we did,,, I went and replaced 90% of the lights in the house with "Daylight" spec CFL bulbs. The house is significantly brighter, and we are saving money. While it doesn't replaced light boxes it does help

[jasminewind.livejournal.com]

Huh that is a neat trick. What makes these different from regular CFL bulbs and how do you tell the difference in the store? I have a lot of windows in my house and the grey and dark really make a difference in the winter and our interior lights do not replicate the sunshine we're not getting.

[phillyfyre.livejournal.com]

you want to look for "daylight" on the packaging, with the ones at home depot, they look like this

http://www.homedepot.com/n-vision/h_d1/N-5yc1vZ1xr5Z3iu/R-100660399/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053

the daylight ones cost a little more, but it is pure white light not yellow

[sabrinamari.livejournal.com]

Yes, I want to do that too.

[phillyfyre.livejournal.com]

do one room and see what you think. some people (me included) can see the flicker of the bulbs, but after a week I didn't notice it anymore. The more expensive alternative is halogen bulbs, they tend to be as white, but generate more heat and eat more electric

[vgnwtch.livejournal.com]

How does this work with evenings?

My otherwise non-existent circadian rhythm has to be imposed by:

a) having a strict sleep schedule
b) taking melatonin at the same time each evening
c) using a light box or light visor in the morning, and
d) not being exposed to direct sunlight after 7.30pm - I am supposed to use amber-tinted sunglasses after that time if in daylight, as it's the blue spectrum light that keeps you awake

So I'm really curious about how you prevent the blue spectrum light messing with your sleep cycle if it's on in the evenings?

I am so ready to pick up tips!

[phillyfyre.livejournal.com]

not sure as no one in my home has that issue so I never needed to address it. sorry

[vgnwtch.livejournal.com]

Still, as blue spectrum light does affect the body's sleep cycle, I'd be interested in any anecdotal evidence for how these bulbs affect people, so I shall check every SAD-related post Sabrina makes in case you've noticed anything :)

[faedaughter.livejournal.com]

And for everyone on this list with SAD concerns (you included sweetie) remember to take vit D and calcium (together)! Most Americans are difficient in Vit.D anyway because we work indoors and (ironically) wear sunscreen, but it is very important for SAD sufferers to get plenty. Fish oil and B vits. also help with brain function and health. 5htp works well as a supplement for a lot of people. I am currently taking 300mg of 5HTP a day and 2000iu of vit.D.

[sabrinamari.livejournal.com]

Good to know!