Have they determined which light frequencies are the active ones in phototherapy for SADD?

Phototherapy (use of a special lightbox, for those who aren't familiar with the term) is a full-spectrum, very bright light. It has all of the spectrum except UV rays, since those are the cancer-causing kind. (That also means you don't get a tan from a lightbox.) The blue part of the spectrum seems to be important to treating SAD, and the light must be very bright. Lightboxes are around 10,000 lux; a very brightly lit office is 1,000 lux or less. Most lightbox users have to slowly increase their proximity and time in front of it. When I take one in to show students, I always warn them before I turn it on, but they still usually yell, "Turn off the sun!!" It suddenly occurs to me I should ask if this is a fiction related question. 'Cos, you know, I charge $150 an hour for other sorts.

I find going to a tanning salon once or twice a week for a maxium 20 minutes does help me with my energy level. (Never more than 20 mins at a time...learned the nasty way that 30 mins got me a burned 'butt clevage'!) Working nights and being extremely pale in complexion, I would also do this for going on vacation where I knew I was going to be exposed to the sun. I still put on the the higher SPF sunscreens but at least I never burned which is always a painful bummer of a way to ruin your vacation! CMIIW...I also read somewhere that you should let your eyes adjust to bright sunlight for about 10-15 minutes before automatically slapping the shades on, as that it is your eyes being exposed to the light is what kick-starts your skins natural defenses and "tanning".

Man, burned butt cleavage sounds REALLY uncomfortable. But funny, in a disturbing way. A lot of people who tan are unknowingly giving themselves light therapy. I sure would if I weren't worried about wrinkling faster. My mom has always emphasized that, so I use a lot of fake tanner over the summer!! Thank goodness some of them give you a natural color.

Yep, fic related. Her name is Robin Jenkins. Sam, SJ and Lola have met her. She's 16 years old, currently on a space station, and has seen as many or more (to use her politer words) busy-bodies as the team, and with as much or more reason. Space stations don't get a lot of natural light, so the latest shrink prescribed photo-therapy. Being all of 16, and not terribly interested in getting a well-rounded education (I don't need to know that to do my job), she looked at the device and (thanks to Katsesama's info): said, "The idiot wants to permanently night-blind me, at the very least. More like sunburn my corneas and give me retinal cancer. I'll turn down the intensity, and use Cricket's old camera UV filter which has a noticeable orange tint and therefore cuts out some of the blue as well, but that won't matter. Other than that, yeah, I guess I'll use the stupid thing, so he stops bugging me." I then got to thinking about how Jason would react to this. If he were told to use one, he'd tell the doctor where to go. If one of his close friends were told to use one, for a condition Jason can see really exists, he'd make sure the got good advice and then followed doctor's orders. I can also see Jason doing self-therapy with it. Cheers! Cricket

Originally posted by katsesama Man, burned butt cleavage sounds REALLY uncomfortable. But funny, in a disturbing way.

Oh man you have no idea! LMAO! There's a reason the sun don't shine down there! 30 mins was a little too along with sweating all the tanning accelerator lotion which just happened to pool in that area!!! I had to waddle in to a store and buy myself a couple pairs of extra big Granny Panties, cause my usuals just rubbed wrong. I couldn't go commando cause I needed some protection. (I never realized how many seams in clothing seem to run across that area!) So there I was sitting like an old man with hemroids in Granny Panties and my tye dye hippie skirt! Actually I don't know what's worse the burn pain or the "itchy" healing sensation, where you end up doing a "funky worm" dance trying to discretely and delicately scratch the affected area. One of life's little lessons well-learned! Go ahead...laugh...(I know you're laughing at me anyway!) Anyway laughter is good medicine. There's another question forr Katsesama. What kind of chemicals are released in your brain when you laugh?

Originally posted by kimiko I find going to a tanning salon once or twice a week for a maxium 20 minutes does help me with my energy level. (Never more than 20 mins at a time...learned the nasty way that 30 mins got me a burned 'butt clevage'!) Working nights and being extremely pale in complexion, I would also do this for going on vacation where I knew I was going to be exposed to the sun. I still put on the the higher SPF sunscreens but at least I never burned which is always a painful bummer of a way to ruin your vacation! CMIIW...I also read somewhere that you should let your eyes adjust to bright sunlight for about 10-15 minutes before automatically slapping the shades on, as that it is your eyes being exposed to the light is what kick-starts your skins natural defenses and "tanning".

A good fake tan works just as well, and doesn't expose you to risks of skin cancer...I have to admit I tried a solarium once and it was Closter phobic, and not as much fun as the beach. But then you still can get a healthy exposure to the sun without sun baking or tanning.

It's been quite awhile since I've been to the tanning salon, or the beach, or gone anywhere for vacation....*thinks about it*...actually years!...actually over a decade! Yikes! Where'd the time go? That's probably the last time I got any sort of long exposure. I remember last summer, a hot sticky August day, I had to go to the courthouse. I look absolutely dorky in hats...so instead I decided to bring this white umbrella that I had. What a difference in temperature! A parasol...why didn't I think of this before? Mind you at first alot of people looked at me like I was an absolute fruitcake, but I see more and more umbrellas in the sun.

Kimi! Take a holiday, it's great for lifting the spirit and everyone needs a rest once in a while. I worked for years at one point without a real holiday, and you burn out...DH and had out worst arguments in those years that we never took a break together...it's a healthy thing to do all round! So start saving your pennies Kimi. You know the Chinese get around with brollies all the time in sunny weather or rainy...maybe they are onto something here..mmm

Originally posted by kimiko [quote] There's another question forr Katsesama. What kind of chemicals are released in your brain when you laugh?

Serotonin, which is responsible for mood. (Same chemical that's increased when you take Prozac, Zoloft, Lexapro, etc.) Dopamine, which is responsible for feelings of pleasure and reward, and as actually what's implicated for making some things addictive. Endorphins, which are feel-good chemicals. They also kick in when you get things like a runner's high, or mediate pain if you hurt yourself really bad. So...I have to say it...laughter really is the best medicine!

Originally posted by katsesama Endorphins, which are feel-good chemicals. They also kick in when you get things like a runner's high, or mediate pain if you hurt yourself really bad.

Or have a nice and spicy Indian curry (preferably a vindaloo). I find that always gets the endorphins flowing for me (and no jogging needed *grin*).

OooHH! Thanks for reminding me Tim! *runs to the cupboard and pulls out bag of Lays Curry chips and starts munching* Almost forgot I bought these. I'm totally addicted to them.

Originally posted by Ebonyswanne Kimi! Take a holiday, it's great for lifting the spirit and everyone needs a rest once in a while. I worked for years at one point without a real holiday, and you burn out...DH and had out worst arguments in those years that we never took a break together...it's a healthy thing to do all round! So start saving your pennies Kimi. You know the Chinese get around with brollies all the time in sunny weather or rainy...maybe they are onto something here..mmm

I agree with ya Ebony I am burnt out! But for that decade I was talking about the pennies got used out of necessity...(they got begged, borrowed and stolen and picked up off the ground I might add!) I have one more debt that I have to work full force on (school loan)...ugh..then I'm free! Got ourselves into quite a financial nightmare when I was in university...had to quit and go back to work! We've been invited (along with MIL & FIL) to go to the Dominican Republic but we don't have anyone who can take care of the dog. She has severe separation anxiety and she wouldn't do well in a kennel. I don't want to put her through that, so no out of the country jaunt for us. But maybe a weekend camping outing nearby.

Originally posted by katsesama

Originally posted by kimiko [quote] There's another question forr Katsesama. What kind of chemicals are released in your brain when you laugh?

Serotonin, which is responsible for mood. (Same chemical that's increased when you take Prozac, Zoloft, Lexapro, etc.) Dopamine, which is responsible for feelings of pleasure and reward, and as actually what's implicated for making some things addictive. Endorphins, which are feel-good chemicals. They also kick in when you get things like a runner's high, or mediate pain if you hurt yourself really bad. So...I have to say it...laughter really is the best medicine!

And laughter is addictive too...and so is Sudoku as I've found out lately...As always Katsesama..Thank you! I find this so interesting. I will have to watch more Comedy Network...Doctor's orders right?

Originally posted by kimiko

Originally posted by Ebonyswanne Kimi! Take a holiday, it's great for lifting the spirit and everyone needs a rest once in a while. I worked for years at one point without a real holiday, and you burn out...DH and had out worst arguments in those years that we never took a break together...it's a healthy thing to do all round! So start saving your pennies Kimi. You know the Chinese get around with brollies all the time in sunny weather or rainy...maybe they are onto something here..mmm

I agree with ya Ebony I am burnt out! But for that decade I was talking about the pennies got used out of necessity...(they got begged, borrowed and stolen and picked up off the ground I might add!) I have one more debt that I have to work full force on (school loan)...ugh..then I'm free! Got ourselves into quite a financial nightmare when I was in university...had to quit and go back to work! We've been invited (along with MIL & FIL) to go to the Dominican Republic but we don't have anyone who can take care of the dog. She has severe separation anxiety and she wouldn't do well in a kennel. I don't want to put her through that, so no out of the country jaunt for us. But maybe a weekend camping outing nearby.

That is the only kind of vacation I get. When you have two cats, a dog, a hampster, and fish. It is hard to find someone to look after the animals while you go away. So, I tend to take long weekends to go up to my parents, cats and small animals can look after themselves for 3 days. Or if it is for longer the car gets packed with cats and dog and hampster all their food and supplies and one bag for me. (Actually now that hampster died that will be one less thing to worry about.) Reminds me of my friends when they travel with their young children. More supplies for the kids then for themselves.

Endorphins!!! I hear Springie has them in abundance...giggles...(which is a good thing.) So does my 9 month old daughter, she laughs at anything and everything!

Heehee...yeah, I can get a little wound up at times...I really have a bizarre sense of humor...sometimes I get laughing so hard I cry... I have to tone it down most of the time, but I let loose in class alot...my students love it...and the other teachers just think I am crazy...well, they know I am... I am not afraid to make a fool out of myself to keep the kids entertained...

We used to have a babysitter every other Tuesday evening. It was great. We saw a movie or had a nice dinner or did grocery shopping or went to the mall. I really think it made a huge difference. We didn't put any "no kid / work" talk rules on it, just did what felt right. Highly recommended.

I suffer from SAD and have to say it is no fun at all. Have had light therapy recommended and work is trialing light therapy for some of us also in the hope it helps. Will try the laughter thing also