Exposure to light light can help ward off winter blues. The time to start is now: npr

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When the days get shorter, many people can also dim their moods. About 1 out of 20 adults have a seasonal affective disorder and millions of others experience a milder form of winter blues. Allison Aubrey from NPR reports how light light can help from a box.

Allison Aubrey, Byline: We are all guided by our circadian rhythms. But the inner watches of our body have no perfect 24-hour cycle. Every day the Master watch needs to reset one in our brain. The scientist Michael Terman explains that the CUE is morning light for this reset.

Michael Terman: Light through the eyes of the eyes illuminates this circadian timer and corrects it every day.

Aubrey: So it is good to open the blinds or go outside in the morning. If the hours of the day shrink in the autumn and winter months, it can be helpful to increase our light load with a light box. It is a device that gives you in front of seats and light white light.

TERMAN: When we carry out light therapy in the morning, we reset this driving circadian clock to synchronize with the world outdoors.

Aubrey: In addition to synchronizing our watches and with a light box in the morning for about 30 minutes, you can increase the mood and hand over depression. Dr. Dorothy Sit is a doctor at Northwestern University, who studied light light therapy.

Dorothy seat: There were only a lot of investigations that have shown that the use of morning light or bright light therapy in the morning can be extremely helpful in order to reverse some of the symptoms of seasonal depression.

Aubrey: She refers to research that shows that bright light therapy with standard anti -impression medication corresponds to the relief of symptoms. Some people do both and the combination can be helpful. Depending on the person, light therapy can be sufficient. Studies show that it can begin to reduce symptoms within a week.

SIT: This means that we can offer people who would fit the lifestyle of the person, their preferences. We only have to offer.

Aubrey: She says that if you use a light box, it is important to set a routine. Use it every morning at the same time. And it can be helpful to start in autumn before the darkest months. Some light boxes sold online are either too small or do not release enough light. The Mayo Clinic says, select one that spends 10,000 lux of light.

SIT: I think light light is still an underwear treatment option and also knows that light therapy can be fascinating for people who even have milder forms.

Aubrey: A few characters that you may be susceptible to seasonal blues are when you sleep more than normal or ask more pasta and sweets. Dr. Jamie Zeitzer from Stanford University says that it is important to see that a lack of light is not the only trigger of seasonal depression.

Jamie Zeitzer: So, you know when it is winter and it is cold and snow -covered and you cannot see so much because it is more difficult to get around and people are not so much outside, that can be depressing. You know it is this type of social isolation.

Aubrey: A memory that in the coming darker months we need both light and laughter and friendship when it comes to feeling good.

Allison Aubrey, NPR News.

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