People may start to feel “down” when the days get shorter in the fall and winter. In some cases, these mood changes are more serious and can affect how a person feels, thinks, and handles daily activities. In most cases, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) symptoms start in the late fall or early winter and go away
during the spring and summer; this is known as winter-pattern SAD or winter depression. Treatments are available that can help many people with SAD. They fall into four main categories that may be used alone or in combination:
- Light therapy
- Psychotherapy
- Antidepressant medications
- Vitamin D
The Zen Zone
The Zen Zone, located inside Carle Health & Fitness Center, includes a space for individualized meditation or one-on-one guided meditations. The room includes sound machine, diffuser, salt lamp, and pamphlet of instructions and guided meditations.
In the fall and winter months we offer our Light Therapy Lamp. This lamp provides 10,000 lux of light and is recommended by physicians for individuals who struggle with SAD.
Benefits of Light Therapy
The use of a light box can help with Seasonal Affective Disorder by delivering a therapeutic dose of bright light to help with symptoms.
The light box is meant to mimic outside light, which causes a chemical change in the brain to lift your mood and ease other symptoms such as oversleeping and feeling tired.
Benefits of Meditation
- Gaining a new perspective on stressful situations
- Building skills to manage your stress
- Increasing self-awareness
- Focusing on the present
- Reducing negative emotions
- Increasing imagination and creativity
- Increasing patience and tolerance
- Lowering resting heart rate
- Lowering resting blood pressure
- Improving sleep quality
Visit the Member Service Desk, call (309) 433-9355 or email info@carlehealthfitness.com to schedule a session in the Zen Zone.