Have you ever tried light therapy? This is actually supposed to help seasonal affective disorder.
I remember hearing something about this l and I have heard it actually helps. I have also read it can be done at home as well.
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/light-therapy/MY00195
Here is what it says about it
Definition
Light therapy is a way to treat seasonal affective disorder, depression and certain other conditions by exposure to bright artificial light. During light therapy, you sit or work near a device called a light therapy box. The light therapy box gives off bright light that mimics natural outdoor light.
Exposure to bright light from a light therapy box is thought to alter your circadian rhythms and suppress your body's natural release of melatonin. Together, these cause biochemical changes in your brain that help reduce or control symptoms of seasonal affective disorder and other conditions. Light therapy is also known as bright light therapy or phototherapy.
NEXT: Why it's done Light therapy is one of the many ways to treat a variety of mental disorders and conditions affected by time changes or shift changes, especially seasonal affective disorder. The light box used in light therapy emits a type and intensity of light that isn't found in normal household lighting. So simply sitting in front of a lamp in your living room is unlikely to relieve your seasonal affective disorder symptoms or other problems.
Similarly, a light box delivers brighter, more focused light than you can find outdoors, which makes it more effective than trying to get enough light exposure by spending time outside — especially on gloomy days.
When to consider light therapy
Light therapy may be a treatment option for you if:
You don't want to take medications such as antidepressants
You can't tolerate the side effects of antidepressants
You've tried antidepressants but they haven't been effective
You want an alternative to psychotherapy
You're pregnant or breast-feeding and are concerned about the effects of antidepressants on your developing fetus or baby
You don't have insurance coverage for mental health services
You lack access to mental health services
Conditions light therapy may help
Conditions and problems that may benefit from light therapy include:
Seasonal affective disorder
Nonseasonal types of depression
Obsessive-compulsive disorder
Premenstrual dysphoric disorder
Postpartum depression
Jet lag
Certain sleep disorders
Shift-work problems
Keep in mind that light therapy hasn't officially been approved by the Food and Drug Administration as a treatment for seasonal affective disorder or other conditions. But many mental health providers consider light therapy the main seasonal affective disorder treatment.
The site has all kinds of info, like risks and etc...
I hope this helps.
I miss loving winter...
