How to Survive Winter

Seasonal affective disorder actually happens both ways - there are people who get depressed by the summer as well as those who are affected badly by the winter. However, we’ll be dealing here with the winter variety.

The condition has been linked to both seratonin and melatonin levels in the body, but there’s a stronger correlation with exposure to sunlight.

There are two treatments stemming from this, both of which seem to be effective to some degree. The first, and arguably the most effective, is to get out into whatever natural light there is. With modern work and study schedules, which in Northern latitudes can often start before there is real daylight in winter, and end after sunset, this is not easy. However, the best recommendation is to spend lunch hours, breaks, and other free periods outdoors - even if the weather is bad, and it’s cloudy, it’s still full spectrum light.

The other common solution is a light box; a device equipped to give off very bright light, simulating sunlight. They are used by sitting fairly close to them, facing the box with eyes open, but not looking directly at it. Light boxes do not seem to be as effective as natural light, but are a useful substitute in late December and early January when the hours of light are very short.

For buying in the UK, I recommend SAD Lighting - and in particular, the Apollo Golite, which a friend of mine is having good experiences with.
For further reading, here’s an article from Science Daily about seasonal affective disorder.