Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a mood disorder associated with depression and related to seasonal variations of light.
Skyline College has a unique weather pattern with many foggy and overcast days. A 2013 survey was administered to Skyline College’s faculty, staff, and students to see how this weather pattern might affect mood and behavior. A majority of respondents reported:
- Experiencing little pleasure or interest in doing things they usually enjoyed doing
- Experiencing changes in motor activity (e.g. feeling restless and fidgety or moving and speaking more slowly)
- Finding themselves sleeping longer than usual
- Experiencing trouble waking up in the morning
- Feeling like they had low energy during the day
- Feeling tired most of the time
- Experiencing food cravings and/or eat more sweets and starches
Skyline College has purchased two lamps designed to decrease the symptoms of SAD. The lights work by mimicking early morning full daylight and affects brain chemicals linked to mood and your body’s biological clock.
Research indicates 30-minute sessions are helpful in:
- increasing levels of alertness
- increasing energy levels
- improving overall mood
These lamps are located in the hallway on the top floor of Building 6. Please stop by and try them out!
*This lamp does not produce ultraviolet light or full-spectrum light, and is not the same thing as a heat lamp or a tanning lamp.
Article by Jennifer Merrill
