Friday, January 26, 2007

Let there be light

I’m thinking of investing in a light box, and was wondering if anyone who calls by here has one? I’ve noticed over the last couple of winters working at home how little light I’m getting. I’m an optimistic, upbeat type, and it’s easy to spot when I’m down. A few years ago I had a spell of depression so I can spot the signs. I was referred for counselling at the time and we went down all the obvious avenues, active person coming to terms with being disabled, etc etc, and the counsellor came to the conclusion that I had accepted my lot in a more positive way than most people he saw. He was stumped. I self diagnosed shortly after – the depression was a side effect of a medication I was on.

Now, I get a lot of allergies, but we hadn’t tied depression to anything I was taking! Long story short, came off tablets, counsellor took one look at me outside his office, I grinned, and he said, “you look different, so what has changed?” I was discharged same day. The experience means I can spot the signs. That was also when I first read about light boxes. They’ve become more common since then and they've also come down in price. It just makes sense to me. What little light we are getting in the north of England right now I’m not getting much of at all because I work in my home office. I suppose it’s a preventative measure than anything, but I think it might be worth the investment. Anyone have any thoughts?

And can I write it off as a necessary tax deduction LOL (she says, for the first time being anywhere near having to pay any tax, a miracle in itself ;))