Sad

Sad

God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. And God saw that the light was good.

Genesis 1:3-4

I can think of three reasons why summer is my favorite season. Reason number one: there is more light in a day. Reason number two: the sun rises earlier. Reason number three: the sun goes down later. But, you might object, that’s only one reason, stated three different ways. Well, of course. Summer is all about light, isn’t it? Given my enthusiasm for summer, it’s no wonder that I approach fall and winter with a tiny bit of dread. Though I don’t suffer from full-blown seasonal affective disorder, otherwise known as SAD, I do know that getting more light on those gloomy days can greatly improve my mood.

If you feel light-deprived, as I sometimes do, there are practical things you can do to stay cheerful even when the days are short. Researchers point out that melatonin supplements can improve sleep and relieve symptoms of depression in certain people. Just check with your doctor before taking it. Fish oil supplements, rich in omega-3 fatty acids, can also be a boon for your system. Here’s another idea. Trimming overgrown bushes and tree branches around your house that block the sunlight will bring in more light, in addition to depriving would-be burglars of cover. Another way to add more light to your day is to make a habit of basking in the light of a lamp that simulates sunshine.

Finally, though you may not like strolling around in a snowstorm, you can make an effort to spend time outdoors most days. As one researcher explains, “The light we get from being outside on a summer day can be a thousand times brighter than we’re ever likely to experience indoors. For this reason, it’s important that people who work indoors get outside periodically.” Even in winter, combining time outdoors with sleeping in total darkness at night “can have a major impact on melatonin rhythms and can result in improvements in mood, energy, and sleep quality.”^a

Uneasy about the onset of winter? Why not adopt a different approach this winter to see whether it improves your sense of well-being?

Lord, thank you for scientific advances that improve the quality of our lives. Help me to stay healthy through all the seasons, I pray.

^a Russel J. Reiter, quoted in Meredith Melnick, “5 Ways to Beat the Winter Doldrums,” Time, November 5, 2010, accessed October 5, 2011, http://healthland.time.com/2010/11/05/5-ways-to-beat-the-winter-doldrums/#sadcropped.