How light therapy can help ward off the winter blues

Hunter Boyce, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution (TNS)

Summer is gone, daylight saving time has ended, and the warm, sunny days are giving way to cooler, longer nights.

With these changes, many people may find themselves feeling the effects of SAD, or seasonal affective disorder. While it’s common, exposure to the right kind of light can make a noticeable difference.

What is seasonal affective disorder?

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a form of depression characterized by seasonal patterns. A person suffering from SAD experiences mood changes that begin and end with seasonal changes. They often experience “winter blues” during the shorter days of the fall and winter, but feel better by springtime.

The cause? According to Robert Levitan , a University of Toronto professor and