I like the “happy-lite” idea. It would sure come in handy durring our not-so-sunshine-state tropical type weather. It’s a real bummer when we have a week’s worth of overcast and rainy days. 2004 was particularly interesting. Then we were deemed the “Plywood State”…”Blue Roof” and led to new terms like “generator envy” and “gas-line rage”. It gave new meaning to “tropical depression”! Seems that winter is’nt the only exasperating time of year. However I still would’nt trade it in a New York Minute!!!

I came to the door at 12:30 a.m. my eyes popping out of their sockets as if I had just smoked a crack pipe – Therese, I had a wonderful (terrible) mental image of your experience. I visualized and laughed like a crazy man! It was hilarious – but sorry for your experience. I understand SAD because I see it in myself and my 20-year old stepson. He is even affected by rainy, overcast days – not just the seasons. For
myself, it is like countering depression with activity. If I’ll get outside, even though it’s cold or rainy or gloomy – the mere act of ‘going’ and ‘doing’ somehow is a tonic. As we know from experience, the lethargy and inertia that we have to overcome is a major effort – but that first step really is the most difficult.
I’m doing better. It’s dark outside – and I don’t particularly even like the night because of its ability to invoke sadness, but I’m not in bed or blended into my favorite chair. I’m upright! Anyhow, I’m thinking of getting one of those lights and testing it out.
I’m thinking red right now instead of blue.
Frank,

Again, thanks for the crack pipe image! I might have forgotten your warning if you hadn’t provided the SCARY picture. Ever the perfectionist (not with alcohol, however), I would definitely have gone three hours over a little baby half hour. Nice to get advice that a friend would give, vs a black and white ‘warning’ or ‘side effect’ message, mucho thanks.

Like everyone else, Therese, I had a great (awful) visual image of your greeting for your returning husband! You write so well that the pictures you create are tatamount to being there! Your metaphor to having smoked a pipe of crack was priceless! Unfortunately, because i live in an urban are where crack is frequently the drug of choice, I DO know what it looks like, and it ain’t pretty!(so much for the ‘totalwoman’ warning about always greeting your hubby at the door looking your best, huh? (Not that I ever took a lot of that stuff seriously anyway!)There are extremes to EVERY doctrine, right? I’m glad you got the light therapy directions straightened out, but I’m interested to know, since we seem so in tune with each other, if you finally received some benefir from your “Happy Lite”

But Therese! Does it work? Or are you still hopped up on light all night?

Your metaphor to having smoked a pipe of crack was priceless! Unfortunately, because i live in an urban are where crack is frequently the drug of choice, I DO know what it looks like, and it ain’t pretty!(so much for the ‘totalwoman’ warning about always greeting your hubby at the door looking your best, huh? (Not that I ever took a lot of that stuff seriously anyway!)There are extremes to EVERY doctrine, right? I’m glad you got the light therapy directions straightened out, but I’m interested to know, since we seem so in tune with each other, if you finally received some benefir from your “Happy Lite”

Depression, insomnia and fatigue may result from seasonal affective disorder (SAD) – also called the “winter blues” – and is commonly treated with light therapy to increase exposure to bright and full-spectrum light, thereby curing the symptoms.