Low light levels and lack of sunshine are common in the winter months and for some, the onset of winter brings with it a condition known as Seasonal Affective Disorder. Approximately 30% of North Americans suffer from SAD, a condition that causes depression, fatigue and weight gain. Other symptoms include difficulty concentrating, carbohydrate cravings, social withdrawal and insomnia.
In other words, it is cabin fever, plain and simple. And Canadians have invested some of the best minds to deal with a national epidemic.
Canada.com, again:
The technology’s called Litebook, and we can thank Calgary entrepreneur, Larry Pederson, for coming up with the idea [‘light-bulb’ moment -ed.]. Pederson’s trouble with long, dreary winters facilitated his invention [in-cabin discovery, indeed -ed.], a simple gadget that emits enough bright light to bring the spring back into your step.
Pederson’s Litebook is a handy little device. Small enough to fit into the palm of your hand, the Litebook emits enough LED’s (Light Emitting Diodes) that they actually have the power to elevate your mood. The white LED’s emit bright narrow beams of light that assist in regulating melatonin levels in the body. And according to clinical trials, just thirty minutes of exposure to the Litebook is all it takes for you to begin to feel better. In fact, in controlled studies, 60 to 90% of participants responded positively to light therapy.
Available from Litebook, from O Canada.