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What is Seasonal Affective Disorder (S.A.D.)? Seasonal affective disorder (S.A.D.) is a type of depression that occurs in a seasonal pattern, typically during the fall and winter months when there is less natural sunlight. It’s also known as winter depression or winter blues. S.A.D. is believed to be related to changes in light exposure and how they affect the body’s internal biological clock, as well as certain brain chemicals like serotonin and melatonin.
People with S.A.D. may experience a range of emotional and physical symptoms, which can include:
Depressed mood: Feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and low energy.
Lack of interest in activities: A loss of interest in activities you once enjoyed.
Changes in sleep patterns: Oversleeping, difficulty waking up in the morning, or insomnia.
Weight and appetite changes: Overeating and cravings for carbohydrates, leading to weight gain.
Fatigue and low energy: Feeling tired and sluggish.
Difficulty concentrating: Difficulty focusing on tasks and making decisions.
Irritability: Feeling more irritable and moody than usual.
How can red light therapy help? Red light therapy or photobiomodulation is a non-invasive form of therapy that stimulates your blood flow, decreases your inflammation, promotes your body’s natural ability to heal, and increases your energy levels. Our full-body pods, called the Regen Q8, can pulse four different wavelengths of light in the red and near-infrared (NIR) spectrum. Pulsing the light in the red and NIR spectrum recalibrates your body to function and act the way it’s supposed to. How, you ask, is this beneficial for S.A.D.? Check this out.
Light pulsed at 20Hz produces dopamine, a neurotransmitter that regulates mood, motivation, and reward.
Pulsing red and NIR light has been proven to help balance the brain, by increasing blood flow and oxygen delivery to the brain cells, enhancing neurogenesis and synaptic plasticity, and modulating neural activity and inflammation.
Pulsing red and NIR light has been proven to help slow down anxious thoughts, by reducing the activity of the amygdala, the brain region involved in fear and stress responses, and increasing the activity of the prefrontal cortex, the brain region involved in executive functions and emotional regulation.
Pulsing red and NIR light has been proven to help recalibrate our circadian rhythm, by synchronizing the production of melatonin, the hormone that regulates sleep and wake cycles, and influencing the expression of clock genes, the genes that control the biological clock.
By using red light therapy, you can boost your mood, improve your sleep quality, enhance your cognitive performance, and reduce your stress levels. Red light therapy is a safe, natural, and effective way to combat S.A.D. and enjoy the winter season.
Contact The Wellness Center today to explore your options to start feeling better! We’re here to help!
Visit our YouTube Channel to see our Podcasts, Testimonials, and more information on Red Light Therapy today!
The information contained in this article, and information curated from third-party links are for informational purposes only and should not be used or interpreted as a diagnosis or medical advice. It is your sole responsibility to consult with your medical doctor regarding any therapy plans or complementary care you might be considering for your personal medical care.
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