Red Light Therapy For SAD

​Here in Portland, our winter days are short, dark, and dreary. Some days there’s as little as 9 hours of sunlight and that’s if we’re lucky enough to not have a sky full of gray clouds. Short days and dark skies can play a serious role in how you feel. Some people are more affected than others and the changing seasons can cause feelings of depression, anxiety, and lethargy.

If you’re affected by Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), find out more about the causes, effects, and how you can fight the winter blues at Lux Tan & Cryotherapy.

What is seasonal affective disorder (SAD)?

Do you find yourself dealing with a lack of energy and feelings of seasonal depression following the end of summer? If so, you might be one of the 20% of people affected by seasonal affective disorder (SAD). 

The low light of winter leads to chemical imbalances in the body and the brain. This results in hormonal and vitamin imbalances in the body, including:

• Vitamin D deficiency - The body needs sunlight to manufacture vitamin D. Essential for overall whole body health and strong bones, vitamin D deficiencies are very common in the Portland area as the days get darker.
• Disruptions in the circadian rhythms - Your body’s natural rhythm and internal clock can be disrupted and thrown off kilter by decreased sunlight during fall and winter.

• Low levels of melatonin and serotonin - These neurotransmitters are essential for regulating sleep and mood. Changing seasons can lead to deficiencies and seasonal affective disorder.

​What are the symptoms of SAD?

SAD is more than just another name for the winter blues. People in Portland who are affected by seasonal affective disorder report a variety of SAD symptoms, including:

• Depression
• Low libido
• Tiredness
• Anxiety
• Apathy and lack of interest in hobbies
• Low energy and lack of motivation
• Sleeping too much (or not enough)
• Appetite changes and weight gain
• Reliance on drugs and alcohol

As the days get shorter and winter darkness descends, keep an eye out for any of these symptoms. If you notice a change in how you feel, it can be fixed with treatment. 

Don’t think SAD is something you have to live with.

​How can SAD affect me?

Left untreated, SAD can cause profound negative effects on your life. The symptoms can increase feelings of depression, affect your physical condition, and lead to general unhappiness and feelings of unrest in your life.

​Am I at risk of SAD?

Besides living in the Pacific Northwest, there are other factors that might increase your likelihood of SAD. 

Family history is a major risk factor. If your parents or other close relatives have been diagnosed in the past, you’re more at risk yourself. If you’ve been diagnosed with bipolar disorder or have suffered from major depressive episodes in your life, SAD can be serious and can compound the effects of these disorders.

Interestingly, women are much more likely than men to be diagnosed with SAD. The reasons for this are unclear but it is something to be aware of.

​Minimizing the effects of SAD

As we said earlier, SAD is not incurable. Those affected with SAD are often encouraged to:
​

• Get outside - Even when it’s cloudy and grey, the light from the sun is still there. Unfortunately, as we all well know, getting outside can be difficult due to the accompanying cold and rain.
• Exercise regularly - Physical activity stimulates the body and the mind, fighting the effects of seasonal depression. Hike, bike, run, or even just take a walk during your lunch hour at work. Outdoor exercise is like 2 birds with 1 stone.
• Use a lightbox - There are many at-home lights to help stimulate your body when natural sunlight is rare. These can be especially useful when you’re working long hours in the winter.
• Supplement with vitamin D - Everyone in Portland should take a vitamin D supplement (after consulting with their doctor, of course).

• See a doctor - If your symptoms are severe or are negatively impacting your life, talk to your doctor. In some cases, therapy or prescription medications may be the best course of action.

​Using Red Light Therapy to fight SAD

In recent years, people have become more aware of new way to fight SAD: Red Light Therapy. Similar to an at-home lightbox, only more powerful, Red Light Therapy is a fast and powerful treatment. It can increase the production of ATP in the body, accelerate healing, and give your body the boost it needs to fight the symptoms of seasonal affective disorder.

---

The research is there — how Red Light Therapy can help you.

• Using Red Light to Treat Seasonal Affective Disorder
• How Red Light Therapy Reduces Fine Lines, Wrinkles, Skin Roughness, and Increase Collagen 
• Infrared Light Therapy: Healing, Stimulating & Restoring
• Red Light Infrared Therapy For Chronic Low Back Pain

---

Other uses for Red Light Therapy

Beyond treating SAD, Red Light Therapy is a very powerful and versatile restorative treatment. At Lux Tan & Cryotherapy, we help people use Red Light Therapy to:

• Shrink pores
• Repair sun-damaged skin
• Reduce wrinkles, lines, scars, and stretch marks
• Eliminate acne
• Relieve low back pain

Red Light Therapy treatments take under 20 minutes and produce results in as little as one treatment session. Red Light Therapy is NOT tanning and will not change the tone of your skin. Instead, it penetrates deeply to boost circulation, increase the flow of nutrients in your body, and stimulate cells and chemical processes within your body.

It’s a great option for anyone who wants to look and feel better fast.

​Try it yourself.

If you’re feeling the effects of SAD, you owe it to yourself to give Red Light Therapy a try. Find a Lux Tan location near you and schedule your first appointment today. Have questions? Contact us online for more information.

We offer incredible discounts for new clients and amazing loyalty programs, too. Check out our current promotions and save on your treatment.