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<\/p>\nRelief from winter depression often arrives after the first week of bright light therapy, according to a researcher.<\/p>\n
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Seasonal winter depressive symptoms affect up to 25 percent of Finn, according to Timo Partanen, a research professor at the Institute for Health and Welfare (THL). File photo. Image: Niko Mannonen \/ Yle<\/p>\n
When winters are particularly dark and snowless, people increasingly suffer symptoms of depression \u2014 but there are ways to fight back against the wintertime blues.<\/p>\n
Timo Partanen, a research professor at the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), said that seasonal winter depressive symptoms affect up to 25 percent of people in Finland.<\/p>\n
A typical symptom is unrefreshing, intermittent sleep. Sufferers also commonly start craving sweet things at night, leading to them eating chocolates, candy or bread.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, people’s enthusiasm for physical activity declines in the gloom of winter darkness, and weight gain is a typical side effect of depression, according to Partanen.<\/p>\n
“We sleep more, eat more and exercise less \u2014 and we tend to gain two to five kilograms in weight over the winter,” he explained.<\/p>\n
However, using a bright light therapy lamp can help stave off the effects of winter’s darkness.<\/p>\n
He said the benefits of using bright lights start to appear after about a week.<\/p>\n
“After the first week, you usually get some relief. In particular, cravings for sweets seem to disappear first,” Partanen said.<\/p>\n