Seasonal affective disorder is a mental health disorder coined in 1984 to explain mood issues related to the seasonal changes. In general, areas with more pronounced seasons are more impactfully affected with SAD, hence why only 1.4 percent of Florida’s population has SAD compared to nearly 10 percent Alaskans.
SAD is believed to be caused by several things however scientists have not been able to narrow it down specifically to any one reason. There are those who think it comes from a disruption in circadian rhythms related to atmospheric lighting. This makes sense as with winter comes shorter days and less sunlight.
Then, there are others who think it’s representative of ancient times when our relatives would have seen the colder temperatures and would have went into hibernation mode. Things like melatonin, serotonin, and other natural systems have also been discussed. There are also some who think those suffering from seasonal affective disorder are predisposed to it.
So how do saunas treat seasonal affective disorder – well, in a few ways. The most common prescription given to those suffering with SAD is light therapy. The process of this light therapy is called chromotherapy. Today’s infrared saunas are equipped with built-in chromotherapy and lights. A user received a calming, therapeutic effect which can positively impact mood instantly.
An infrared sauna with LED color lights can help seasonal affective disorder in several ways. Colored lights affect mood. By changing your LED lights in an infrared sauna, you’re triggering yourself into certain processes which can impact your mental and physical health.
Red boosts energy and promotes faster healing in an infrared sauna therapy environment.
Orange sparks creativity, mental activity, and uplifts the emotion.
Yellow is believed to instill optimism and positivity.
Blue minimizes anxiety and depression, and has been shown to improve the look and health of one’s skin.
Green is a popular light therapy hue to combat SAD as it calms one down and counteracts the side effects of seasonal affective disorder.
Purple is believed to be most calming, helping one overlook any feelings of pain and stimulating white blood cell production.
White is a very powerful form of light therapy, combining red, green, and blue in a singular light.
Seasonal affective disorder can successfully be treated with heat and light therapy. If your reality is struggling with SAD every winter, now’s the time to invest in an infrared sauna. You don’t need to suffer any longer. There are real mental and physical health benefits ahead, prioritizing your wellness above all else. The combination of infrared heat with chromotherapy has proven extremely effective as an SAD treatment. Improve your quality of life by spending more time in warm, cozy spa-esque heat.
There are other SAD treatments out there, including some pharmaceutical drug-based options and cognitive behavioral therapy however these take a long time to work or won’t work at all. Using a sauna, you know instantly or after your first few sessions whether you’re getting anything out of it. Heat and light therapy is safe and quick. Shake the symptoms of seasonal depression today and speak with a representative at Steam Sauna to get set up with your very own at-home infrared sauna.