Seasonal Affective Disorder - SAD and spiritual light

# Seasonal Affective Disorder - SAD

During winter, the human body is also affected by cold weather and less sunlight than other seasons; people feel less energetic and want to sleep more; like autumn leaves, they become melancholy, changing color from green to yellow, red, brown, and then falling away completely; but when spring arrives, this condition reverses itself, and fresh green leaves appear again! Dr. Norman Rosenthal, a clinical professor of psychiatry at Georgetown University School of Medicine in Washington, D.C., shared that when he moved to the United States from South Africa, he felt less energetic during the harsh winters. He noticed that other people felt the same way. Therefore, Professor Rosenthal researched this issue and published the first study on these symptoms, naming the condition "Seasonal Affective Disorder - SAD."

Professor Rosenthal discovered that about one out of every twenty people in the United States experiences SAD symptoms. If you have this condition, you may feel sluggish or despondent, oversleep, eat too much, gain weight, and lose interest in activities you once enjoyed. Many others also experience winter depression, a milder form of SAD, where you feel sadder, sleepier, or slower. Additionally, Professor Rosenthal noted that it can be difficult to recognize a pattern, as the symptoms of this condition usually appear gradually and silently. "For example, it might be somewhat serious in September and a bit worse in October and a bit worse in November. It's like the story of the frog in the pot of gradually heating water, and it doesn't really realize it will die from the heat because it happens so slowly." In severe cases, SAD can weaken or worsen other conditions.

Professor Rosenthal explained that seasonal affective disorder has three main causes: first, a genetic component; second, a lack-of-light component; and third, stress. Among these three factors, the lack of light is the primary cause of seasonal affective disorder. Therefore, a fundamental aspect of SAD's physiology is that some people simply need more light to be as healthy as during other seasons.

Professor Rosenthal recommended to his patients the use of SAD lamps, which were invented to produce light much brighter than indoor light—approximately 10,000 lux, a measure of light intensity. This light is absorbed through the eyes rather than the skin—but don't stare directly at it. Professor Rosenthal said he positioned the lamp so the light shone down on him, as if he were out in the sunshine. He explained, "That's how we evolved to see light—with the sky above and the sun shining down, so the light enters and touches the lower part of the retina." However, natural sunlight is still better. The professor recommended that we go outside in the morning, which is the best time, and the earlier the better; we should try to get as much natural light as possible. Go outside, even if you don't want to, because even on cloudy days, you still receive light from the sun.

We thank God for creating the world, and on the first day He created light in a perfect way: "God called the light 'day,' and the darkness he called 'night.' And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day" (Genesis 1:5). Light is essential to mankind, not only for seeing the way clearly and working, but also for better health. As Professor Rosenthal noted, without sufficient light, our bodies become susceptible to "seasonal affective disorder"—SAD, making us easily tired and discouraged in winter because nights are longer than days and light is scarce!

Our spiritual lives always need light, and Jesus Christ Himself is the eternal Source of Light for us. The Christmas season is when we celebrate the Source of Light who came to earth—Jesus Christ came to guide His people out of darkness, as Scripture reveals: "The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned" (Isaiah 9:1); "His splendor was like the sunrise; rays of light flashed from his hand, where his power was hidden" (Habakkuk 3:4); "When his lamp shone on my head and by his light I walked through darkness" (Job 29:3); and King David said, "The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?" (Psalm 27:1). Indeed, Jesus Christ is the Source of Light that rescues us from all the troubles of life. Jesus Himself declared, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life" (John 8:12).

Furthermore, God's Word—the Bible—is also Light that gives us wisdom and enlightenment to know Him deeply and serve Him wholeheartedly: "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path" (Psalm 119:105); "The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple" (Psalm 119:130); "Your statutes are my delight; they are my counselors" (Psalm 119:24). God's Word revives me; it is my comfort in distress (Psalm 119:50).

Every day, we need sunlight for our bodies to remain healthy, and we also need the Source of Light for our spirits. Jesus said, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28); and God has promised, "He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak" (Isaiah 40:29). Let us always maintain intimate fellowship with God through prayer and meditation on His Word, so that we always have sufficient Light and are completely healthy—spiritually within and physically without. We thank God for coming at Christmas and bringing the Source of Light to guide us out of darkness. He has opened the eyes of our hearts to see the one and only Way to Heaven! We earnestly pray that God will grant us strength and grace, so we may always faithfully study and obey His Word; so we may maintain intimate fellowship with God, please Him, and be witnesses to those around us to know Him; please help us become a light shining forth His salvation love to all people! Amen!

We thank God who came to the world, The Source of glorious Light eternally, We praise Christ—God's Son— The one way, saving those who have strayed! Christmas brings blessing and peace, May we become light spreading the Gospel, Rejoicing with God watching over us, Wholeheartedly faithful fulfilling the Father's will!

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