ambient air temperature - a thermo-neutral zone

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Anonymous
joined 7 Jan 2009
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Posted by Anonymous, 01:59 16 September 2003

Hi everyone,

I've been using a lightbox for 3 winters. I began to notice that October to March were tough, once I had left school (to and from which I used to walk)and started working shifts. Eventually, I began to go down in September and not pick up properly till April. This will be my 4th winter using a lamp and I've just discovered this message board, which gives me a chance to ask whether any of you also feel better in HOT weather?

I feel SO well (in and outdoors) when it is at least 80oF - I'm not extra-hungry, I'm not running to the loo all the time (from drinking more than I really feel like - but need to because of eating more when it is cold), I sleep particularly well and am FULL of energy for life, day after day.

The rest of the year, I feel as if I am battling against the temperature all the time, even though I wear lots of sensible clothes. I have recently learned that the pineal gland tells us what the temperature is outside, no matter how warmly we are tucked up indoors. This was news to me, but explains why temperature plays a significant role in my well-being.

I would really like to know if anyone else is aware of having a 'thermo-neutral zone' - that is, a 'perfect' air temperature for you personally, in which your neurochemistry seems to have your body working properly and comfortably, in every department, continuously?

I lived in Africa at about 7 degrees north, when I was a child. I think this is why temperature matters so much to me. I also think that UV light is important (to me) and therefore have a full spectrum lightbox, because I think it is the combination of really bright light AND heat, which my body adjusted to when I was a child, which I now need to re-produce.

I have also noticed that when it is sharply cold, I feel better - as if some natural mechanism has automatically cut in to boost my serotonin. Often this is connected with clearing snow or having to be outside during cold. I have slowly realised that I don't do well in 'in-between' temperatures.

I am wondering whether this may be similar to those of you who feel worse in September and March - that something in the combination of light intensity or falling temperatures, is too 'in-between' for your comfort?

Well, I've said enough here. Thank you all in advance for any replies.

May this winter be a bright one! :D

Linn

Anonymous
joined 7 Jan 2009
49550 posts

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Posted by Anonymous, 09:15 16 September 2003

Hi Linn - great thinkers/ponderers we saddies you know. And to answer directly, yes, I am quite hopeless in the 'in between seasons' too. In fact anything on or around 21 September and again 21 March. I like the real heat of summer and the cold of winter, but find the 'neither here nor there' seasons really exhausting and also irritating.

A lightbox does not help me as much in Sept and March as it does during the remainder of the winter. In September and March I feel like a pathetic human endeavouring to function, and can best describe the whole sensation as being inside one of those really ancient deep sea diving suits, you know the ones with the huge metal helmet with a wee glass panel for vision. In fact desensitised and hampered in everything I do, and also very isolated.

However it might not just be a question of light, heat and cold. :idea: I feel the height of the sun from the horizon is a major factor. For the simple reason that I feel awful in September and March (as it appears do many others) when the sun is exactly the same height in the sky. I too grew up on the equator until I was 12, and I feel those formative years actually set the weather conditions which become your personal perfect type for life. The height of the sun from the horizon in Sept and March is the same height as the imminent sunset on the equator and therefore I feel exhausted and ready to go to bed!

There is a great deal still to be learned on the subject of seasonal affective disorder. In the meantime here I sit in front of my lightbox ……… All good wishes for your ‘in between’ seasons Linn

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