I want to be happy here.  I had been warned that Seattle’s winters can feature a lengthy series of cold, short, grey days (at least in comparison to SF!), and I have been curious about winter light therapy for a while now, so naturally I decided to buy a light box (the GoLite Blu from Apollo / Philips).

The light’s most powerful effect is to regulate your circadian rhythm.  There is no question that the light can do this.  When I used it early in the morning, I was ready to drop dead at 8pm (and woke up before 5am).  I once used it in the late afternoon and found myself wired at midnight.  This light will be a tremendous tool for changing time zones.

The promotional material says “boost your mood and energy,” and it’s hard to say if the SAD light does this directly, or accomplishes this goal by enabling you to feel more rested by establishing a more regular sleep / wake cycle.  When I re-joined the working world I was having trouble going to bed early enough, mostly because I would leave work on the later side and have trouble unwinding.  By experimenting with the light for just a few days, I totally solved the problem.