Winter is coming...
got light?
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) affects an estimated 20 million Americans, with women four times more likely to be diagnosed with it than men.
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) affects an
estimated 20 million Americans, with women four
times more likely to be diagnosed with it than men.
got SAD?
Winter SAD affects over 6% of the U.S. population as daylight hours decrease, causing predictable symptoms such as:
- Fatigue
- Difficulty waking.
- Increased appetite and weight gain
- Social withdrawal
- Irritability
People with SAD sleep an average of 2.5 hours more in winter than in summer, while those with milder “winter blues” experience similar but less severe symptoms. This four- to five-month cycle significantly impacts work performance, relationships, and overall quality of life, with symptoms typically persisting until daylight hours increase again in spring.
A study by Eastman et al. demonstrated the power of light therapy:
61% of SAD patients who underwent bright light therapy
for 4 weeks achieved symptom remission.
A study by Eastman et al. demonstrated the power of light therapy: 61% of SAD patients who underwent bright light therapy for 4 weeks achieved symptom remission.
get info
As days get shorter during these seasons, learn how light therapy and other environmental therapies can
brighten your days, lift your mood, and support your mental health.
As days get shorter during these seasons, learn how light therapy and other environmental therapies can brighten your days, lift your mood, and support your mental health.
“got light?” is an awareness campaign sharing science-backed information about a real
struggle affecting millions during the darker months. Remember to always talk to your clinician
or contact the experts at the Center for Environmental Therapeutics for further assistance.
“got light?” is an awareness campaign sharing science-backed information about a real struggle affecting millions during the darker months. Remember to always talk to your clinician or contact the experts at the Center for Environmental Therapeutics for further assistance.
Listen to our latest podcast:
“Defeating SAD: Unpacking the Surprising Strategies
for Seasonal Well-Being”
get insights
Learning about the symptoms and recognizing the seasonal impact is an important first step. With the “got light?”
campaign, we want to go further: providing simple, actionable tools to gain real insights on a personal level.
Please note that information from these self-assessments should be shared with your doctor or therapist and
is not a substitute for professional medical advice.
Learning about the symptoms and recognizing the seasonal impact is an important first step. With the “got light?” campaign, we want to go further: providing simple, actionable tools to gain real insights on a personal level.
Please note that information from these self-assessments should be shared with your doctor or therapist andis not a substitute for professional medical advice.
Your seasonal pattern
(AutoPIDS)
Symptoms of depression can be
emotional, physical, or cognitive,
and when they occur during the
year can determine the choice
of treatment. To what extent do
you follow a seasonal time
course? This is a free and
anonymous assessment.
Symptoms of depression can be emotional, physical, or cognitive, and when they occur during the year can determine the choice of treatment. To what extent do you follow a seasonal time course? This is a free and anonymous assessment.
Your circadian
rhythm type
(AutoMEQ)
How much of a lark or owl are
you, compared with other
people? If you are considering
light therapy, what would be the
most effective time of day for
you? We will ask for a small fee
of $5 USD to help cover the
costs of our program.
How much of a lark or owl are you, compared with other people? If you are considering light therapy, what would be the most effective time of day for you? We will ask for a small fee of $5 USD to help cover the costs of our program.
Your level of
depression
(AutoSIGH)
Whether or not you’re under
treatment for depression, it is
important to track whether you
improve, get worse, or stay the
same. You should know your
score and details about your
symptom pattern, which can
facilitate discussions with your
doctor. This is a free and
anonymous assessment.
Whether or not you’re under treatment for depression, it is important to track whether you improve, get worse, or stay the same. You should know your score and details about your symptom pattern, which can facilitate discussions with your doctor. This is a free and anonymous assessment.
About 2 to 3% of Canadians will experience SAD in their
lifetime. Another 15% will experience a milder form of
SAD that leaves them only slightly depressed.
get light!
Nothing beats natural sunlight, but when days grow shorter, proven alternatives can make a real difference. We’ve
curated a selection of products that can significantly improve your mood, sleep, and overall well-being during the
darker months. Each product has been vetted by specialists and comes with outstanding user reviews.
Click any product to learn more about how it can help.
Nothing beats natural sunlight, but when days grow shorter, proven alternatives can make a real difference. We’ve curated a selection of products that can significantly improve your mood, sleep, and overall well-being during the darker months. Each product has been vetted by specialists and comes with outstanding user reviews.
Click any product to learn more about how it can help.
watch our short film.
Meet our experts, and a patient whose life turned around with light therapy.
