10 Home Remedies for Seasonal Affective Disorder - Comments

"Last winter i bought a salt lamp. It has worked wonders for my well being in general.A Himalayan Salt Lamp is made from a chunk of salt crystal rock that was taken from the salt mines found in underground caves in the foothills of the Himalayan Mountains. The Himalayan salt lamp makes use of the minerals that have been preserved for millions of years, releasing their special properties through the introduction of heat from an electric bulb or from the flame of a candle. These special properties emitted from the Salt Lamp are responsible for promoting the health and wellness of individuals via ionization of the air and the eradication of pollution. The special properties of the Himalayan Salt Lamp consist of negatively charged ions that act on the contaminants in the air by neutralizing them and weighing them down so they can no longer circulate. When this occurs, individuals can breathe more easily and many ailments and allergies that frequently afflict them start to disappear. Having the light on in the evenings is also really comforting in the cooler months. Mine only cost about $40AUS, worth every cent." - Kara

"I have this in reverse. I know it sounds really strange but it’s true. I live in Brisbane, Australia, where summer is really, really hot – the heat in the middle of the day almost makes me panic. I get depressed in summer! How weird is THAT? It is summer here now and my remedy is to talk a walk around the city around 5 pm when I finish work and it has cooled down, the air is fragrant and the city is suddenly beautiful." - Jenny 

"I second the Himalayan Salt lamp. I have one and I LOVE it. It is beautiful and I can feel a shift in the energy of the room when I turn it on, especially if I am having a “down” day. I also love yoga and Nia. Another thing, the writer of this blog, Julia mentioned is getting outside. Sometimes, this isn’t really possible in the winter so I take a vitamin D supplement and find that to be helpful." - Ashley

"Exercise is key for me at this time of year, and I think it is important to note (at least in my experience) that it has to be some cardio everyday, getting your heart rate revving to give the best mood-lifting results. In the past I’ve tried just walking everyday but it just doesn’t do the same." - Amanda

"I use a full spectrum light, it mimics the sun so it’s like natural sun light. You can buy light boxes that have full spectrum lights in them online" - Sylwia

"I have had a history of SAD and moderate depression at other times of year. Some years back, I stumbled upon an article about the connection between sunlight deprivation, vitamin D deficiency, and mood. Because I’m a stay at home mom often tethered to her desk, I don’t get to enjoy what little sunlight we occasionally have during our long, bleak, Dickensian Midwestern summers. I have found combining a regimen that includes vitamin D, St. John’s Wort, omega-3 and other fatty acids, exercise, and tons of sleep keeps me alert, motivated, and able to home school my babes. I like the bone building stack that comes in Schiff’s Super Calcium 1200 with Vitamin D http://www.schiffvitamins.com/product_detail.asp?id=54. I like that the serving size is two softgels. I only take one, and get the rest from my diet. I also use a full spectrum light, like Sylvia mentioned above, and it has been a miracle worker!" - Jackeline

"After being diagnosed with Seasonal Affective Disorder, my doctor instructed that I get out in the sunlight for at least half an hour each morning. After about a month of this treatment, I was feeling much better, but the Missouri weather was getting colder and colder. After resraching the top rated SAD lights (source: http://www.lighttherapyreviews.net/ ), I finally switched to using a full spectrum lamp on cold mornings, though I still prefer the sun most of the year. I’d like to attest that both strategies work very well, and my Seasonal Affective Disorder hasn’t come back since!" - Herb