Hi!

So recently I’ve realized that I might have SAD. Round the winter solstice, there’s about 6 hours of sunlight per day in Estonia and for much of December and early to mid January, it was also overcast so even the 6 hours of “sunlight” were kinda dark.

So I went to read Wikipedia and:

Two methods of light therapy, bright light and dawn simulation, have similar success rates in the treatment of SAD

So I’m just wondering if anyone has personal experiences with these, particularly the dawn simulation as I believe that’s something I could just set up and forget hopefully (I have ADHD, I do NOT do well with things I have to repeat every day). Does it help? Do you use it outside of wintertime too?

  • Hazel@piefed.blahaj.zoneEnglish
    5·
    3 months ago

    Hii, not sure if it counts as ‘dawn simulation’ but I have a smart light set up to turn on gradually at the same time year round.

    It helps maybe a little with SAD, but mostly helps my sleep consistency. I couldn’t say for sure with all the other factors in play.

    • boonhet@sopuli.xyzOPEnglish
      3·
      3 months ago

      Pretty sure it does count. To be fair, sleep consistency is very important too as bad sleep would be a contributing factor in other issues

        • boonhet@sopuli.xyzOPEnglish
          2·
          3 months ago

          Unfortunately I think that’s inevitable. If I was rich, I’d move to the southern hemisphere late October every year and move back in march or so

          • Hazel@piefed.blahaj.zoneEnglish
            3·
            3 months ago

            Oh absolutely, I’d move in a heartbeat if I had no attachments here. I’ve lived at more southerly latitudes for a period and it makes a big difference. Really sucks feeling like shit half the year and everyone expects you to keep going like usual 🥲