Can you believe winter is already here? With wet, rainy days ahead, most of us will rely on our umbrellas to cope with the weather. But - for some - banishing the winter blahs takes something a little more advanced.

Low light levels and lack of sunshine are common in the winter months and for some, the onset of winter brings with it a condition known as Seasonal Affective Disorder. Approximately 30% of North Americans suffer from SAD, a condition that causes depression, fatigue and weight gain. Other symptoms include difficulty concentrating, carbohydrate cravings, social withdrawal and insomnia.

SAD is a by-product of increased production of melatonin, a natural hormone produced by the pineal gland that makes people feel sleepy. According to Dr. Raymond Lam, head of the Mood Disorders Clinic at UBC, "The process is similar to what happens during jet lag when the internal clock is out of synch with the external clock. This leads to symptoms of fatigue, low mood and problems sleeping".

So what does SAD have to do with technology? Well, studies suggest that light – specifically LED technology – can help stimulate the neurotransmitters in our brains, affecting our mood and suppressing melatonin. With a little help from technology, relief may be, literally, in sight!

The technology’s called Litebook, and we can thank Calgary entrepreneur, Larry Pederson, for coming up with the idea. Pederson’s trouble with long, dreary winters facilitated his invention, a simple gadget that emits enough bright light to bring the spring back into your step.

Pederson’s Litebook is a handy little device. Small enough to fit into the palm of your hand, the Litebook emits enough LED’s (Light Emitting Diodes) that they actually have the power to elevate your mood. The white LED’s emit bright narrow beams of light that assist in regulating melatonin levels in the body. "About two-thirds of people with this condition (SAD) get substantial relief from something as simple as exposure to bright light", claims Dr. Lam. And according to clinical trials, just thirty minutes of exposure to the Litebook is all it takes for you to begin to feel better. In fact, in controlled studies, 60 to 90% of participants responded positively to light therapy.

Roughly the size of a Palm Pilot, Litebook is the first personal light therapy device designed to provide specific beneficial rays of the sun without the harmful UV’s. So, unlike tanning booths, there is no health concern associated with this type of light therapy.

Plus, you are expected to have your eyes open when using this device, since light must be able to get into your eyes for the body to feel any positive affects of light therapy. So – again – it works much more effectively than a tanning booth (where your eyes must be closed for protection).

Perhaps most importantly, for those of us on the go, the Litebook is ultra portable and can be incorporated into our daily routines. It can be set on office desks, on coffee tables, and on window sills. You can take it with you on the bus, or any where else you travel.

Positioning the Litebook is easy too; it should be positioned 12 to 24 inches from your face and slightly offset to reduce glare. Though the light beam should be directed towards your eyes, you should avoid staring directly at the light source; these are still some powerful beams being emitted!

Typically users know when they’ve received enough light as most people feel a heightened alertness, more energy, and a boost in mood. Litebook is also being used to combat jetlag, so for those of you who travel a lot for business and find yourself feeling a little run down, the Litebook might be just the thing to pick you back up again.

And - at this time of year - it’s the perfect accompaniment to all the holiday traveling. Now if only someone will invent a similar technology to melt away those added holiday pounds!

Sources: www.litebook.com, www.bcctv.ca, www.psychiatry.ubc.ca