For many people, the beginning of autumn season is a particular period of the year. The daylight and the heat from the Sun are less intense and days are shorter.

Some people love this season and enjoy it. They admire the splendid colours of the trees. They already dream of the coming winter season and are looking forward to get ready for their next winter sport activities.

While others, hate this season, because it announces the arrival of winter season. The negative effects of a seasonal lack of natural light slow down their metabolisms and make them lethargic. They suffer from seasonal depression.

The seasonal depression is a form of depression whose principal characteristic is to occur during the same period, each year. It is also known under the name of "winter blues". It usually starts at the beginning of autumn or winter to end in the spring season. It affects especially the people who live in the Northern Hemisphere, when sunshine period decreases. It is estimated that women are more likely to suffer than men.

The exact causes of seasonal depression are still unknown, but the researchers believe that the lack of natural light acts on chemical balance of the brain, by involving a variation of melatonin level.

The melatonin is a hormone secreted by the pineal gland. Produced during the night, the melatonin is involved in the regulation of mood and biological rhythms. When the melatonin level increases, the temperature of the body starts to drop and the brain is less alert. It is the normal process to help us fall asleep.

Usually, at dawn when the sun rises, the production of melatonin drops quickly and the body comes out of its lethargy. The melatonin level is so low during the day that it is difficult to find traces of it in the body. In wintertime, when the light intensity decreases, the production of melatonin would rise up and would cause changes on mood, energy and appetite level, in about half of the population.

Symptoms

• Lack of concentration
  
• Extreme fatigue
  
• Moroseness
  
• Excessive need for sleep
  
• Increase appetite for starchy foods and sweets
  
• Weight gain

To confirm that it is indeed seasonal depression certain standards must be present: The symptoms enumerated above always occur at the same period of the year (generally between October and March), without psychosocial factors explaining the mood change. Complete remission usually occurs at the same time of the year (generally in spring).

Since the early eighties, luminotherapy or phototherapy has been used. The mostly used treatment is a light exposure of 5000 to 10000 lux for 20 to 60 minutes, before eight o'clock in the morning. The light is thus transmitted to pineal gland by the optic nerve, which slows down the production of melatonin.

When the symptoms diminish, we decrease progressively the frequency of exposure, to a minimum of three times per week. The light exposure continues until spring, time of the year when symptoms disappear by themselves. The luminotherapy causes little side effects, but certain people can feel irritability, sensitivity to light, headaches and febrility.

The seasonal depression can also be treated by plants or changes in life habits. In Germany, Klamath Weed is presently the mostly used antidepressant for cases of seasonal or light depression. It is at the Middle Age era, that we find the first indications of its effectiveness in the treatment of depression and melancholy. In the last decade, we can find Klamath Weed in several herbal combinations for the treatment of anxiety, insomnia and depression.

Klamath Weed can be found in the D.A.N.-C combination. The plants contained in this combination have proven their effectiveness in helping to correct nervous system disorders which cause depression, anxiety, nervousness, insomnia, memory and concentration problems and migraines. Moreover, it strengthens the nervous system, giving you a calm feeling, improves circulation at the cerebral area and helps you get a harmonious personality.

Put some light in your life! Avoid wearing black/dark clothing, wear light and coloured clothes. Avoid painting the walls of your house in dark/deep colours, it is preferable that you use lighter colours especially the blue ones (sky) and the yellows (sun). Avoid diffuse light fixtures, instead, use an intense lighting. Go for your daily walk in the daytime rather than the evening.

Now that you know the cause of your problem and that you have alternatives, take the time to enjoy this great season and admire the splendours that it offers us.