Have a Light-Filled Winter!
By Shannon Morehouse MA, CHHC, Staff Writer

Winter is here! Some people suffer severely with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), while others get a nasty case of the winter doldrums. The truth of the matter is that the lack of light in winter can decrease your serotonin levels and can increase your melatonin levels. The decreased serotonin levels can lead to depression. The increased melatonin levels can cause oversleeping, which can also lead to depression.

We have solutions for you. Don't wait for spring's sunshine to pull you out of your winter funk. Invite light into your life today! If you have SAD, we highly recommend Northern Light Technologies' Luxor light-therapy pyramid, which can deliver up to 10,000 Lux of healthy light. We love the sleek design of the Luxor. To the Egyptians, and many other early civilizations, pyramids were believed to promote healing and represented many of the positive aspects of their culture. Let your Luxor bring you sunshine and well-being for many years to come.

If you do not feel the need for intensive light therapy or if you want an easy solution to fill your entire house with light, Blues Buster's full-spectrum light bulbs are for you. Unlike ordinary bulbs, Blues Buster's special glass filters out brown colors so even when it's grey or dark outside, it's like sunlight in your home! Blues Buster's superior quality provides up to 5,000 hours of light—six times longer than ordinary bulbs!

We have a light-filled solution to prevent oversleeping too! NEEDS is proud to introduce the Verilux Rise and Shine Wake-Up Light, which aligns the body's circadian rhythms that regulate normal sleeping and waking patterns. The harmonious blend of light and sound therapy naturally directs the body to energized waking and healthy sleeping patterns. The light that emits from this clock progressively brightens over 15 minutes. The sound therapy includes the ocean, songbirds, and streamside to name a few. Wouldn't you much rather wake up to gradually brightening light and singing birds than an annoying buzzing sound?

You can improve your mood this winter with supplements as well. We especially like the Pain & Stress Center's Mood Sync, which contains 5-HTP and amino acids that are precursors for the formation of vital neurotransmitters in the brain. Neurotransmitters control brain activity and anxiety by transmitting inhibitory signals between brain cells. 5-HTP is the precursor for serotonin in the brain.