Blue Light Therapy and Staring Into the Sun

blue light therapy
See, this chick looks normal doing it! I just look creepy.

My girlfriend bought me a blue therapy light for Christmas.

I did a bunch of research on blue lights to see if they do, in fact, help to alleviate depression. Now, I don’t actually have depression. Well, not in the clinical sense. Sure I cry each morning when I awake, but that’s because the weight of the world is squarely resting on my shoulders! You know, normal thoughts. The blue light was appealing as it could help me to feel better and isn’t a destructive high.

During my research I found that therapy lights are the number one prescribed remedy for seasonal affect at the Mayo Clinic. Well, I’m certainly not smarter than those eggheads. So, now I wake up every morning and while I’m eating my cereal I am bathed in blue light like I’m playing a sax solo set at a jazz bar.

Then I pack up the sonofabitch and take it to work. It’s only a little bit bigger than my fist.  I get to work about fifteen minutes before the other employees and turn it on again.  At home I usually fire it up once more before bed when I’m writing.

Does this thing really work? Who the hell knows? But I do believe there’s something about sunlight that is energizing. The blue light is supposed to do the same thing direct sunlight does through the skin.

When I’m on the subway platform, even in single digit weather, if possible, I stare directly into the sun. With my eyes closed. I’m not a sociopath. There’s something that feels so nourishing to me to get even a few minutes of sunlight. I probably look like a weirdo staring into the sun with my eyes closed when it’s winter. Also I have a dog on my back in a pack. It’s a strange sight.

Tonight I started to think about why I don’t do other things that are good for me like some regular cardiovascular exercise. How I can get up every morning and bike ten miles to work, but when it’s too cold I can’t get to the gym. I know we’re imperfect people but the science is clear if I do a bit of cardio each day I’d have some great stuff pumping through my body – you know, neurotransmitters. The real drugs. I wouldn’t probably need the damned blue light.

I know eating ice cream is pleasurable and quick and easy. But getting an hour workout in is so much better. I believe the quality of my life can be summed up in the ability to make decisions that provide me the biggest benefit. I know some people like to say it’s about giving, but screw those martyrs. Nobody likes a show-off.

So, the question isn’t, “How do I become perfect?” The question also isn’t, “How do I get myself to the gym?” The question actually is, “Why am I choosing not to give this gift to myself?” That’s where the magic is.

When I ask this question I’m overcome with sadness about how mean I am to myself. The feeling passes second later, but I am aware that often I don’t think I’m deserving of good feelings. That stops me from the gym. It’s all behind my consciousness, but I think that’s what is happening.

Getting conscious about what’s going on with me is my work in 2013. That and less farting.

Now, if you will excuse me there’s a little bit of Breyer’s Moose Tracks left in the carton and it’s calling my name. I’ll use my blue light to even it out.

blue light therapy
See, this chick looks normal doing it! I just look creepy. Wait – actually she looks kind of creepy, too.

8 thoughts on “Blue Light Therapy and Staring Into the Sun”

  1. Kelly @ In the Mom Light Blog says:

    First of all, missed opportunity to link to an affiliate link here because I totally want to buy one for my mom. I really think she suffers from S.A.D….. seriously… let me know if this works.

  2. Kristin Thompson says:

    Funny I’ve been thinking of getting a blue light. I live in Portland, yes THAT Portland where its grey all winter and it gets hard to take after a while. Would love to hear more about if you felt a difference or not. But agree with the person above, add an affiliate link! Let us try one! 🙂

  3. Michelle Willrich says:

    I only know a few people who enjoy going to the gym. Riding your bike to work IS exercise, that happens to be outside in the sun. What could be better than that? Maybe your sadness comes from trying to measure up to the ideal of others instead of being true to your personal happiness.

    As for the creep factor, take up the saxophone and then the blue light makes sense. AND even if the light doesn’t work you can play the blues and people won’t think you are depressed, just artsy. Win-win.

  4. Kate Hall says:

    The farting line almost had me on the floor.
    You need to have someone take a pic of you with the dog on your back, staring into the sun with your eyes closed, on the subway. It would totally benefit your readers.
    Man, I don’t know what to make of all this depression talk. Perhaps I’m not used to people being this honest. I wish I could help you. But I guess that’s what the blue light is for.

  5. Bina says:

    At the risk of sounding all schollmarmy here, keep on staring into the sun. Actually, try exposing as much skin as you dare (without getting arrested, that is) to the sun. Especially in winter. Vitamin D deficiency (aka the sunshine vitamin) happens quite often in winter and is linked to health issues such as fatigue, depression, cancer, bone health, cardiovascular diseases, MS etc.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vitamin_D
    http://www.livestrong.com/article/22440-mental-health-benefits-vitamin-d/

    The easiest way of helping your body to produce vitamin D is by direct exposure of your skin to the sun. 10 – 15 minutes every day are enough though. As my GP pointed out, there’s really no need to risk skin cancer for the sake of vitamin D.

    In any case, trust your instinct. Your body is telling you it needs the sun to produce vitamin D. If your vitamin D level is very low (your doc can have your blood checked for it) there are a number of dietary supplements you can take. Cod liver oil for instance. Yuk.

    Anywho, I’ve babbled enough.
    Nice to know I’m not the only weirdo who squints at the sun with a goofy grin on my face (though the goofy grin might be just me).

  6. Emelie says:

    That’s interesting. I’ve never heard of blue light therapy. Now I’m really intrigued…

  7. Carrie @ JustMildlyMedicated says:

    Love the post. I have friends stationed in Alaska (Go Army) and a blue light is a household item! I do hope the blue light didn’t melt the moose tracks though 😉
    Carrie @ Just Mildly Medicated

  8. Alice M. says:

    Cardio can do wonders for depression ams weight of the world tears. But really, who has the time. (Discipline, whatever. ) I believe the answer lies in treadmill desks!

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