By Lauren Wilkin
An NHS doctor says investing in a SAD lamp could be the key to battling the blues this winter.
"Seasonal affective disorder, sometimes known as 'winter depression', is a type of depression that tends to come and go in a seasonal pattern," says Dr. Hana Patel, an NHS doctor who specializes in sleep and mental health.
"It can be apparent over the dark winter months and is closely related to a misalignment of the circadian and sleep cycles, affecting our mood."
While the exact cause is not fully understood, according to Dr. Patel, it's often linked to reduced exposure to natural light during the shorter days.
She says that light is one of the main ways our brain can tell whether or not it's time to wake us up.
"This is why darker mornings can feel much tougher to manage, and you may find yourself feeling extra tired," she explained.
And she says one way to fix this is with a SAD lamp — a device that emits bright light in order to promote wakefulness.
"SAD lamps are often used as a form of light therapy, which is a popular treatment for SAD.
"The light produced by these lamps works to mimic sunlight that's missing during the winter months, encouraging the brain to incr...