light boxes

cludwig · Post by **cludwig** » Thu Jun 15, 2006 5:19 pm

Hi Everyone,

I'm looking for a way to treat mild depression without using medication. I was wondering if anyone has any experience with using one of these.I was also curious as to whether you can get vitamin D from light boxes. I live in the Pacific Northwest and sunshine is not abundent here...so the extra D would be great. Thanks for any info.

Love,
Cristi

Umber · Post by **Umber** » Thu Jun 15, 2006 6:48 pm

Hi Cristi,

I live in the NW too! Beaverton, OR.......I use a natural light OTTLITE all the time at work. It seems to help but I am also on anti-depressants and I take Vit D.

I also read an article that says to get vit D from the sun the best time to be outside is 11:00 am to 1 or 2 pm & no sunscreen!

Hugs

Lori

Mars · Post by **Mars** » Thu Jun 15, 2006 7:10 pm

Hi Cristi!

I actually knew a pediatrician (no, not Polly Wolly) who was going thru a rather nasty divorce and was in a deep depresion. Her pyschologist prescribed a light box in a quiet room or with soft music on a daily basis. She said it did help her if she was able to \\"tune out\\" all the bad things running through her mind. Somewhat like a yoga exercise - meditation along with the light.

It's worth a try, especially if you don't have a lot of natural sun. I love the sun and feel better while in it. I have also heard the best times to get the most out of the sun is between 11 am - 2 pm.

PS - seasonal depression hit me like a ton of bricks when my MC started. Doctor recognizes this and suggested that I use one. I am SOOOOO glad summer is here! Makes my mood lighter (yes, pun intended!)

Good luck and enjoy!

Love,
Mars

cludwig · Post by **cludwig** » Thu Jun 15, 2006 10:20 pm

Hi Ladies,

It definitely was a long dark winter, especially when confined to the house with MC. I'm going to have to get a light box...I just don't want to experiment with medications right now...I've read that a lot of people have to try a few to get the right one. Not only have I lived in washington for twenty years...I.ve always worn sunscreen. I think I'll try the sunshine without it and see if it helps.

BTY Mars...I spent my first twenty years in Ohio.....hard to beat the midwest.

I'm glad to hear you guys like it or have heard good things about it.
Love,
Cristi

JJ · Post by JJ » Thu Jun 15, 2006 11:45 pm

Hi Cristi...I also live in Washington and have been very lazy about wearing sunscreen all my life...well...I had melanoma...not fun kiddo....I would buy a light box and wear sunscreen...just my humble opinion... :cool:

Take care...JJ

Jean · Post by **Jean** » Fri Jun 16, 2006 4:47 am

Cristi,

Don't overlook the benefits of exercise in relieving depression. I know how hard it is to motivate yourself when you're depressed, but it's worth the effort. Why not try walking outside for 15 minutes a day to start. You'll get exercise and the sunshine you need for vitamin D production. BTW, even on cloudy days you will still get enough light.

I have been dealing with depression for many years. Last year I realized that there is not an antidepressant on the market that I can take, they all contain inactive ingredients that I'm intolerant of. If I ever have to go back to them, I'll have to find a compounding pharmacist.

Love, Jean

celia · Post by **celia** » Fri Jun 16, 2006 5:44 am

I beleive it's not an either or about the sunscreen. You need to get a certain amount of minutes without sunscreen, like 20 or 45 minutes, to get Vit. D. Sorry, I can't remember the number. You can protect yourself with sunscreen the rest of the time. Christine Northrup mentions this in her book The Wisdom of Menopause. But if you google vitamin d and sunlight, you will probably find out about the number of minutes.

Celia

cludwig · Post by **cludwig** » Fri Jun 16, 2006 10:08 am

Hi Everyone,

JJ, I'm sorry to hear about the melanoma...that is scary. I guess we need to be cautious with the sun out here even if we can't see it.I didn't grow up in Washington but I've lived here 20 years and I still can't get used to the gloomy winters. My kids were raised here and love the rain.

Well, I've been gluten free for 6 weeks now and finally this week I think I'm starting to feel better. I'm still having some D, but the aches and pains have improved and I'm sleeping better. I think if I could improve the depression
a bit, I could cope better with the rest of this MC. Exercise and a small amount of sunshine everyday will hopefully give me some relief.

Thanks for the tips.
Love,
Cristi

barbaranoela · Post by **barbaranoela** » Fri Jun 16, 2006 4:40 pm

How different we are told about the sun and its rays---

My Derma. said 10 a.m.----and for about 15-20 minutes~~~from 12 till 2--,from what I have heard and read, are when the rays of the sun are @ its strongest---and apparently---this is what U DONT want????

Damned if U do damned if U dont---

I for one DONT---due to the *little freckle* looking thing--that was tiny and never changed, which was just below the left ankle bone---and turned out to be MELANOMA----thus needing surgery---

So I shall stay--pale and while

---

luve Barbara

cludwig · Post by **cludwig** » Fri Jun 16, 2006 5:56 pm

Wow Barbara...you too. I've always stayed pale and used sunscreen everyday since I was twenty....but before that I was in the sun a lot....red and freckled. That's why I was curious about the light boxes and whether or not they provide vitamen D. I'll have to do some more research.

Love,
Cristi

JJ · Post by JJ » Fri Jun 16, 2006 11:22 pm

Hi Cristi...I think my dammage started early...as a kid, I was always in a pool, the bay or in the boat....or skiing in the sunshine(my favorite) I was a bad girl for many years and then paid for it...

I'm OK now, but more careful! TTFN...JJ