The holidays are over, but winter, in many places, is riding on full momentum. The combination of cold weather and abbreviated daylight hours can make spring seem as distant in its arrival as it is a memory. It's enough to give anyone a case of the blues, but for some 35 million Americans, these winter doldrums develop into something quite serious. Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD, dramatically affects the lives of its victims by causing lethargy, increased appetite, anxiety, withdrawal, distraction, and even depression. And it's most likely to affect women: Estimates indicate that as many as 85 percent of sufferers are women over age 30.
GoLite P1This portable, handheld lightbox uses patent-pending Bluewave technology—the same that NASA has used to regulate the sleep schedules of astronauts and shuttle crews—to provide a very specific color range of blue light that has been proven most effective in treating seasonal mood disorders. And it's small enough to fit into a purse or carry-on bag. $249
www.apollolight.com/golite.htmlVitaminsExperts believe that vitamins with magnesium, B complex, and other minerals may help assuage the effects of seasonal depression. Sufferers are also encouraged to exercise daily and eliminate the intake of caffeine.
www.vitamins.comJetBlue AirwaysIf all else fails, fly south for the winter—or at least for one of its weekends. To promote its offshore routes, JetBlue offers discounted fares to such sun-drenched spots as the Bahamas, Puerto Rico, and the Dominican Republic.
www.jetblue.com