SAD lamps

What is it about people fearing the winter this year, and the darkness, which has been a feature of all our lives since we were born?

My mum suffered from the low light every year. We knew that January to March were particularly difficult for her. It's a well documented illness so I think you are being unnecessarily harsh. I'm sorry, OP, I don't have any recommendations but I think if it helps you, go for it. Living in Scotland, we have restricted light in winter and it's something I might consider

eazybee

What is it about people fearing the winter this year, and the darkness, which has been a feature of all our lives since we were born?

Harsh, Easybee.
You have no idea why people may suddenly fear the darkness of winter, as you so eloquently put it. Lives can change.
For many, they do.

Doodle I totally understand, I have no idea about SAD lamps, but what works for me is that if the sky is clear and/or blue I try to get outside for a short while.

I do make the most of any winter sun when it puts in an appearance.

I have a SAD lamp. It's only small and I plug it into my laptop and have it on while I'm having my breakfast cuppa and checking GN and my emails first thing. I think it cost about £30 from Amazon and I've been using it for several years, and even through the summer when we've had grey wet days. It's become automatic for me to turn it on.

I am very sensitive to the weather and I know that this lamp helps me.

eazybee

What is it about people fearing the winter this year, and the darkness, which has been a feature of all our lives since we were born?

It’s a recognised problem, so as Grandmabatty said, that’s a bit harsh.

It could be that more people are worried by the fuel price rises, so early darkness could be a bigger issue,
the fact that it hasn’t really been summer this year -I listened to a lady from Florida who is stranded in Ireland at the moment? saying that she had to buy vitamin D tablets, because of the scarcity of sunshine over here.
We have a ULIGHTOWN Lamp. I don’t know if it’s genuinely effective in combating SAD, but we like it, and having something nice makes you feel better.

Sparklefizz

I have a SAD lamp. It's only small and I plug it into my laptop and have it on while I'm having my breakfast cuppa and checking GN and my emails first thing. I think it cost about £30 from Amazon and I've been using it for several years, and even through the summer when we've had grey wet days. It's become automatic for me to turn it on.

I am very sensitive to the weather and I know that this lamp helps me.

Sparklefizz do you mind me asking which brand it is as I do suffer from lack of sunlight in Autumn/Winter days. 🙏

Doodle I hope you receive some information from people who have experience of SAD lamps. I shall be watching the thread with interest as I might consider buying a lamp myself.
Easybee your remark is unkind and uncalled for. S. A. D is a dreadful condition to live with. People have not suddenly started to fear the coming darker days. It's simply that the subject, like many others has come up in discussions on GN.

eazybee the OP posted here to get advice not to be questioned about their problem. Lucky is the person who doesn't have any fears.

Those lamps were invented and are used for a very good reason. Seasonal Affective Disorder is not easy to deal with and undoubtedly the coming months with low light and longer hours of darkness will be even harder to deal with, especially given that this summer in lots of areas has simply failed to materialise.
Everyone who feels down or affected when winter arrives could do well to think of buying a lamp. And anything drug-free that could lift mood and bring about some positivity in a life which can at any time become difficult for people is only common sense.
Hold tight to your memories Doodle, Kalu, Neine and all who have recently been bereaved. Everyone's wishing you well and hoping that happiness and light will come into your lives again. 🌻🌻🌻

Idiot - so very sorry, when I meant NannyG4, I typed Neine !

SAD lamps do work, we all need the light, not always provided by the sun, it is absorbed by the pineal glad and is used to keep the circadian rhythms normalised and beneficial for our individual bodies. We all have times when there is no sun for days on end and even going outside daily is not enough

I have a small lumie, I don`t need to use it much but will never hesitate if there is a need and that comes before any noticeable affect from sunlight-deficiency. Well done for asking the question Doodle. The best time for use and to help sleep, is to use it in the morning, around breakfast time

Amazon has some cheap and decent SAD lamps, you will need to compare lux and light spread. My lumie was £100 from amazon. Sufficient for me as I have a very healthy microbiome, which keeps me cheerful

S.A.D. is a recognised by the NHS. Lamps are recommended by the SAD Association , they have a website which will explain much.

When the days are gloomy, wet, cold, so we stay indoors, do
stand at an open front/back door for daylight to reach the back
of eyes. Lack of daylight causes S.A.D.

Annniebach We know, don't we. xx

We certainly do Aldom x

My son has SAD and unfortunately lives in Norway😱.

A lot of people swear by the lamps, it’s definitely worth a try.

Our son tends to holiday abroad in the winter so it doesn’t seem too bad.

Bea65

Sparklefizz

I have a SAD lamp. It's only small and I plug it into my laptop and have it on while I'm having my breakfast cuppa and checking GN and my emails first thing. I think it cost about £30 from Amazon and I've been using it for several years, and even through the summer when we've had grey wet days. It's become automatic for me to turn it on.

I am very sensitive to the weather and I know that this lamp helps me.

Sparklefizz do you mind me asking which brand it is as I do suffer from lack of sunlight in Autumn/Winter days. 🙏

Hello
This is the one I bought. I got it from Amazon but they don't seem to do it any more. However, I found the same brand (ROHS Brand) and model on eBay.
www.ebay.co.uk/itm/315043333353?var=0&mkevt=1&mkcid=1&mkrid=710-53481-19255-0&campid=5339055788&toolid=20006&_ul=gb&gad_source=1&customid=6f296353a3099aba5126c5d92d9dcceaa00e0272

I esp like the idea of the clock ones that wake you up gradually - I hate alarm clocks waking me in the dark.

Doodle
The ULIGHTOWN SAD Lamp we have is like this, though it was less expensive when we bought it.

Thank you all for your lovely and thoughtful responses. I think I will get one as it might help. Never needed one before as my sunshine was always sitting here with me but this year I’m trying anything to help fight the dark mood descending and thought one of these might help.

Your all so very kind and thank you so much x

eazybee

What is it about people fearing the winter this year, and the darkness, which has been a feature of all our lives since we were born?

Please THINK before you comment, eazybee! 😞

I’m sure you would benefit from the SAD lamp, Doodle. Also, look at another thread on the subject of coping during the dark days of Winter. Some really positive and helpful comments. It can be a difficult time. 💐

Thank you Patsy

Can't comment on SAD lamps but my cousin lives in Norway and his son suffers from depression during their dark winters. It must be horrid.

Just a quick update. I have bought a lamp from Amazon. Thanks for the suggestions. I will give it a try and let you know how I get on. Thanks for all the support and help.