We don’t often take on the mantle of suggesting products for coping with the demands of parenting in the age of Covid, but I thought it might be a useful digression, given how pervasive I think Seasonal Depression will be this winter. As I mentioned in the previous post, getting ahead of the game and heading it off before it takes root is the key. I’m not a doctor, so these are not medical suggestions, but here are the four treatments for seasonal depression that I mentioned:
- Light therapy
- Psychotherapy
- Antidepressant medications
- Vitamin D
Light therapy attempts to deal with a lack of vitamin D that is a cause of Seasonal Depression by providing the sunlight that is missing in the winter, a key ingredient in many body processes, including mood regulation. Biomax is probably the gold standard if you’re willing to pay a few hundred dollars, but you can also get smaller, portable ones with less wattage like this for around 50 dollars, give or take.
Psychotherapy is a bit more difficult to recommend, but if you’re in the Manhattan area, the Manhattan Psychology Group is fantastic. If you’re in the Fairfield County area, the JSRC Group in Stamford is also fantastic, particularly for young adults and teens.
Antidepressant Medications: I’m pretty sure it’s illegal for me to recommend any medications, so I’m going to gloss over this one with the disclaimer that I am not a medical professional, nor do I offer medical advice. But they are a widely accepted form of treatment, particularly in more severe cases. Talk to a psychiatrist or medical doctor for more information.
Vitamin D: The Liposomal version of Vitamin D drops is the best, as Vitamin D can’t be absorbed by your body in the absence of high levels of lipids (fats). Liposomal D includes this element, so it offers better absorption.
Best of luck in conquering those winter blues! Starting with a light machine would be a damn good start.
