Darker
Days, Darker Moods
He wanted to wait until fares became cheaper.
She had to go now. Days were dark, she was down.
He refused to take the disorder seriously.
A woman from nothern climes writes:
My husband and I had talked about heading for Jamaica
or somewhere else in the Caribbean this holiday season, but then he argued
that we should wait to go until January or February because it will be cheaper
then.
The problem is, I really need a trip somewhere warm – that is, HOT – right
now! I have been recently diagnosed with seasonal affective disorder, and
I really can’t stand the lack of sunshine where we live, in Northern Pennsylvania.
You have no idea what life is like here if you have SAD. But my husband doesn’t
take my disorder seriously, and I really can’t believe that fares are going
to be any different in another month or two. Who’s right?
Too Erie-Bound
Don’t despair, Erie. As often happens in a relationship, you’ve both latched
on to some truth. Please read on, and discuss your situation together.
First, let’s deal with your husband’s ignorance. Despite its faux New Age
sound, there is considerable scientific agreement that Seasonal Affective
Disorder exists, and not just in your part of the world.
Centuries ago, they laughed at Hippocrates for relating all diseases to seasonal
change. Fortunately, he was mostly wrong. And the current official guide
to emotional conditions, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental
Disorders, is relegated to side-status; it isn’t a condition, but an indicator
of others, such as bipolar disorder.
Still, during the last decade, studies have confirmed observations that some
people are more depressed in conditions of less light – that is, now, in
the darkest days of winter. Also, the more northerly the clime, the greater
the proportion of people affected by the winter blues.
Getting thee to Miami, however, is not necessarily the answer, since there
are SAD sufferers there, as well. The closer to the equator, the longer the
day, and thus the Caribbean is a good choice.
Ah, but when?
Here’s where your husband has the edge. There are few deep discounts during
the holiday season. However, if you can wait – and if you read on, I’ll suggest
how – you probably will do better than anyone has in several Januarys or
Februarys.
Indeed, as I write this the bargains are generally for purchase now for travel
after the first of the year. For instance, American Airlines and United both
are offering round-trip flights to Puerto Rico, from New York for $269, if
bought by Dec. 28. Southwest Airlines offers fares to Florida, New Orleans
and southern California for $198 or less, if bought by Dec. 27. US Airways
is enticing passengers with $250 round-trip tickets to Jamaica, the Bahamas
and the Caymans from the East Coast – a steep reduction from last winter.
With your savings, Erie, you can afford several devices that may help with
the disorder every day, not just when you can visit lighter latitudes. Multiple
studies show that many people feel better when exposed to high-intensity
light-boxes, which cost $300 to $500, or portable light visor, $200 to $300
(available from Bio-Brite Inc., www.biobrite.com
or 800-621-LITE). The FDA doesn’t approve the devices, and many companies
offer money-back guarantees.
Other tips: Bring lots of light into your rooms, even if it’s not the light
from special devices; get outdoors, even if there’s a foot of snow on the
ground; set your bedroom light on a timer so you can wake up to an artificial
dawn; and get some exercise – workouts help.
My advice in sum, Erie: Postpone your trip, buy one of those devices, go
for a jog in the snow, and look on the bright side – even if stuck in Erie,
the year’s longest night is behind you. That nine hour-plus stretch was two
days ago. From here, it just gets brighter and brighter.
-- Keith Epstein
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