Summer is over and the days are getting shorter and darker – changes that can cause people to develop a mild case of the blues. For some, however, feelings of sadness prompted by the change of season can be much more serious. Those experiencing fatigue, difficulty concentrating, weight gain and other symptoms may be suffering from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), a mood disorder that affects half a million Americans every year, according to Mental Health America. Add to that the heightened levels of depression in the down economy and the forecast gets even cloudier.
Luckily, there are ways to ward off the effects of SAD and other forms of depression, and in some cases it’s as simple as seeing the light.
“We have learned in the past five years that it’s the presence and intensity of light in the blue region of the visible spectrum that suppresses our body’s daytime production of Melatonin, and helps regulate our internal clock known as our circadian rhythm, which signals the body to fall asleep and wake up at proper times said Neall Digert, Ph.D., who has studied human psychological perceptions in various luminous environments. “Studies show that abnormalities in the level of melatonin, a hormone that our bodies suppress in response to light, have a direct impact on the circadian rhythm and sleep patterns and are linked to SAD.
An expert on daylighting and energy, Digert puts his knowledge to good use as vice president of international market development for Solatube International Inc., the premier worldwide manufacturer of Tubular Daylighting Devices (TDDs). TDDs provide a natural lighting solution for all types of residential and commercial interiors, a major health benefit since people need the blue light found only in natural daylight to keep their circadian rhythm balanced.
Joan Roberts, Ph.D, and professor of chemistry at Fordham University in New York, further explained the effects of natural light on the circadian rhythm, or circadian hormone response.
“When this response is disrupted through environmental light changes, particularly light in the evening, severe damaging emotional and physical effects associated with SAD and jet lag can occur said Dr. Roberts. “External control of the dark/light cycle can be an effective preventative measure and treatment of these disorders
Letting the Light in
Arranging homes and workplaces to receive more daylight may, indeed, be helpful in preventing the “winter blues confirms Mental Health America, the country’s leading nonprofit dedicated to helping all people live mentally healthier lives. What’s more, recent studies have also linked natural daylight to improved cognition, better school performance and higher worker productivity (see “Related Studies” at end of document).
“We’ve long suspected that natural light could have tremendous power in rejuvenating the body and mind, but more and more studies are revealing just how beneficial daylight actually is to our overall health and well-being Dr. Digert said.
Solatube Daylighting Systems bring natural light indoors by capturing sunlight on the roof and transferring it down a tube lined with the patented Spectralight™ Infinity optical tubing system, delivering it through a diffuser at the ceiling level. The tube can be angled around obstructions, enabling homeowners and workers to reap the benefits of natural light inside, all year long. Solatube Daylighting Systems even provide good performance on cloudy days through a combination of advanced technologies – LightTracker™ Reflector, RayBender® 3000 and Spectralight® Infinity – that transfer the maximum amount of ambient daylight down into the room with minimal light loss.
Solatube Daylighting Systems are easy to install (total installation time is usually around two hours) and are cost-effective in comparison to other daylighting options on the market. Plus, energy-efficient TDDs allow homeowners to save on energy costs, and new Solatube eChoice products, including the DSe Daylighting System, meet the requirements for a 30 percent homeowners’ federal tax credit.
Other Ways to Beat the Blues
Digert cites other known methods for preventing and treating Seasonal Affective Disorder and depression, including spending more time outdoors or near windows, phototherapy, antidepressants and counseling.
During phototherapy, a patient is exposed to a light box – a device that contains white fluorescent light tubes covered with a plastic screen to block ultraviolet rays – for up to four hours a day. Light boxes radiate light that is up to 10 times the intensity of normal domestic lighting. This form of treatment has been shown to suppress the brain’s secretion of melatonin (commonly called the “sleep hormone.
Antidepressant drugs such as Prozac may also reduce the symptoms of SAD, but can have negative side effects. Consulting a mental health professional or physician before using antidepressants is advised.
“The antidepressant response to visible light takes approximately three to four days to take effect. Treatment should be continued throughout the winter months to avoid withdrawal symptoms explained Dr. Roberts.
Note to Editor: For more information and resources, or to schedule an interview with Dr. Neall Digert, please contact Cara Clinton at (858) 459-1234 or cara2@mcraeagency.com.
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About Neall Digert, Ph.D. – “Dr. Daylight”
Neall Digert, Ph.D., MIES, is vice president, international market development for Solatube International Inc. He has been involved in the building energy engineering and energy research field for more than 25 years, and has a strong technical background in optical daylighting systems, architectural daylighting solutions and advanced energy and lighting strategies. He has studied human psychological perceptions in various luminous environments. Prior to joining Solatube International, Digert was a senior engineer and manager of the Design Assistance Profit Center for Architectural Energy Corporation (AEC), a Boulder, Colo,-based company specializing in providing architects, engineers and building owners with state-of-the-art architectural and energy-integrated design solutions. Digert holds a Bachelor of Science degree in architectural engineering, a Master of Science degree in building energy/civil engineering and a doctorate in building energy/civil engineering, all earned at the University of Colorado at Boulder. He has been published and quoted in several prominent trade and consumer publications, including Construction Specifier, Architectural Lighting, Metal Architecture, San Diego Business Journal, Robb Report and USA Weekend Magazine.
About Solatube International
Solatube International Inc., based in Vista, Calif. (northern San Diego County), is the worldwide leading manufacturer and marketer of Tubular Daylighting Devices (TDDs). The company’s flagship product, the Solatube Daylighting System, provides a revolutionary natural lighting solution for all types of residential and commercial applications and is the only spec-grade TDD currently available on the market. The maxim “Innovation in DaylightingTM” reflects the company’s commitment to the development of breakthrough daylighting technologies, which has resulted in numerous patents dating back to the mid-1980s. Widely recognized as the industry innovator, Solatube International has earned acclaim around the globe for its unrivaled ability to transform interior spaces with the power of daylight. For more information on the Solatube Daylighting System or other products manufactured and marketed by Solatube International, including solar-powered attic ventilation fans, please visit the Solatube Web site at http://www.solatube.com or call 888-SOLATUBE (888-765-2882).
Related Studies:
• Roberts, JE. Therapeutic Effects of Light in Humans. In: Photobiology for the 21st Century , edited by Thomas P.
Coohill and Dennis P. Valenzeno, Chapter 2, pp. 17-29. Valdenmar Publishing Company, Overland Park, Kansas, 2001
• Heschong Mahone Group, Windows and Offices: A Study of Office Worker Performance and Indoor Environment, California Energy Commission, 2003
• Heschong Mahone Group, Daylighting in Schools: An Investigation into the Relationship Between Daylight and Human Performance, California Board for Energy Efficiency, 1999
• Effect of Sunlight Exposure on Cognitive Function Among Depressed and Non-Depressed Participants, Environmental Health, July 28. 2009
