True North, a division within the U.S. Air Force, is combatting seasonal affective disorder (SAD) by providing mood-boosting stations for the 673d Security Forces Squadron. SAD is a type of depression that occurs during winter due to shorter daylight hours and less welcoming outdoor weather. True North aims to coach service members on techniques to fight SAD through exposure and social norming. The mood-boosting stations include a happy light station, hydration and dark chocolate station, aromatherapy station, and a shred station. These stations provide stress-relieving strategies such as phototherapy, hydration, dark chocolate, aromatherapy, and grounding techniques. The goal is to help service members uplift their mood and overall well-being. Other strategies to combat SAD include taking vitamin D supplements, practicing sleep hygiene, staying connected to others, engaging in low-impact exercises, and following three tips provided by Voici:
1. Use a special lamp that emits bright light to treat depression. This therapy, known as phototherapy, can help regulate mood and energy levels.
2. Avoid the temptation to stay indoors and instead go outside. Exposure to natural light, even on cloudy days, can have a positive impact on mood.
3. Use hydrating creams to protect the skin from the cold. Cold weather can cause dryness and irritation, so it's important to keep the skin moisturized.
Remember to consult a healthcare professional for severe symptoms or worsening conditions.
According to an article from Psychiatric Times, mood disorders are a significant topic of discussion. The article provides an overview of the content theme of Mood Disorders in Psychiatric Times, highlighting various perspectives and topics covered, including Expert Perspectives on the Unmet Needs in the Management of Major Depressive Disorder, Empowering Advanced Practice Providers to Adopt Routine Screening for Tardive Dyskinesia, and Expert Perspectives on the Clinical Management of Bipolar 1 Disorder. The article also mentions specific dates and events, such as the Week in Review from March 4-8, 2024, the use of Blue Light Blockers as a behavior therapy for mania, the accusation of a violated STAR*D Protocol, and the dosing of the first participant in a Phase 1b trial of VLS-01 for TRD. The article emphasizes the importance of addressing mood disorders and provides insights into ongoing research and clinical management approaches. [53b9dddf] [f2e900c0] [1ee08056] [010f5fbe]