Bright Light, Red Light: How to Beat the Winter Blues

Winter can be tough on your mood and energy. Many people feel down when the days get shorter. This is more than just feeling a bit sad. It’s a real condition called seasonal affective disorder (SAD). The good news is, there are ways to fight it. Bright light therapy is the most common treatment. It uses strong white light to mimic sunlight. This helps your body’s internal clock stay on track. Studies show it works best in the morning. Blue light therapy is another option. It can be just as effective as white light. Red light therapy is different. It doesn’t replace bright light therapy, but it can help. Red light works at the cellular level. It boosts energy, improves circulation, and supports better sleep. This can help with mood and recovery. One study found that red light improved sleep and physical performance in female basketball players.Light isn’t the only thing that matters. Stress plays a big role in seasonal depression. Tools like the Ohm Resonance Lamp can help. It uses timed breathing and sensory cues to calm the body. This can make it easier to handle stress. What you eat also affects your mood. Less sunlight can lower vitamin D, serotonin, and melatonin levels. These are important for mood and sleep. Eating foods rich in vitamin D, omega-3s, and B vitamins can help. Avoiding blood-sugar spikes is also important. There are simple things you can do to feel better. Use bright light therapy in the morning. Consider red light therapy in the evening. Protect your sleep by dimming lights and limiting screen time. Eat foods that support your mood. Strength training can also help. Be consistent with these habits. In short, bright light therapy treats SAD directly. Red light therapy supports sleep and energy. Used together, they can help you feel better, even in the darkest months.