Could the seaside make you less SAD?

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Could the seaside make you less SAD?

by SeasideMan ^Pro @ 07/04/08 – 11:35:01

Some people suffer from a condition known as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), also known as Winter Depression. Symptoms include oversleeping, lack of energy and cravings for sugary and starchy food.

SAD is clearly correlated with light, and is more prevalent in places with long, dark winters, and this includes Britain and Ireland (where 20% of the population suffer from it). I have been wondering if it is less prevalent at the seaside because of the brighter light caused by sea reflections, but I couldn‘t find a study on this.

Light therapy is the commonest treatment. Wouldn’t it be great if moving to the coast provided enough extra light to ameliorate the condition?

I took the above picture yesterday, and it gets bigger if you click on it. I find it quite difficult to take pictures in such light conditions that aren’t over-exposed, but I am starting to get better results now with practice.

Cheers, Tom.
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18 Comments to Could the seaside make you less SAD?

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- The_Walrus ^Pro
- http://www.doctor-dark.co.uk
- 07/04/08 @ 11:43:24
I am hoping moving to Crete and giving up anything more productive than growing food will provide the cure...

Nice picture, by the way!
- - SeasideMan ^Pro
  - 07/04/08 @ 11:46:07
  Crete! Lovely. I'm sure that must be a lovely place to live. Watch out for Minotaurs!
  
  Tom.
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- jenray ^Pro
- http://www.jenniferhunter.co.uk
- 07/04/08 @ 14:27:52
I think living by the sea does make a difference...I used to suffer badly from SAD in Surrey, but far less down here even though some distance from the sea...different sort of light altogether here...and on top of a hill too with a huge panoramic views...does make you feel better all round...only bad this year because I've been ill for several weeks...don't think SAD is part of it this year at all...big hugs...It's very cold today again, but lovely and sunny...
- - SeasideMan ^Pro
  - 07/04/08 @ 14:32:06
  I think it makes a difference too. Living on a hill as you do probably does as well.
  
  It's incredibly bright here today. Low tide soon too, so I'll take the dogs for a run on the beach.
  
  Cheers, Tom.
  - - jenray ^Pro
    - http://www.jenniferhunter.co.uk
    - 07/04/08 @ 14:35:11
    Have a nice run...quite envious...do really need to see the sea again....can't remember the last time I was even in Bournemouth to get a glimpse of it, and you can't see it from Poole High Street so must get down there again...need some warm weather though..big hugs...
    - - SeasideMan ^Pro
      - 07/04/08 @ 16:45:41
      We had a lovely walk, thanks. I hope you manage to get to the sea again soon.
      
      Tom.
      - jenray ^Pro
        
        http://www.jenniferhunter.co.uk
        
        07/04/08 @ 16:46:26
        
        So do I...I'm really missing it now...big hugs...glad you had a good walk...lucky you...LOL...
        
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- faffajane ^Pro
- http://faffajane.blog.co.uk/
- 07/04/08 @ 16:01:27
I always feel better when I am beside the sea - one day I will get to live near one
- - SeasideMan ^Pro
  - 07/04/08 @ 16:46:37
  I hope you do. It was the best move we ever made. I'm certain it makes people happier too, and the light just has to be a factor.
  
  Cheers, Tom.
  - - faffajane ^Pro
    - http://faffajane.blog.co.uk/
    - 07/04/08 @ 17:49:00
    One day we will though the big decision is where. Hubby will not move to Wales where I want to be, so looks like it will have to be Devon where he wants to go. Can't at the moment though need to be where he works lol
    - - SeasideMan ^Pro
      - 07/04/08 @ 18:04:59
      Devon is lovely. I don't know how high property prices are down there though.
      
      Tom.
      - loiswakeman
        
        http://lois.co.uk
        
        07/04/08 @ 18:18:18
        
        High is the answer: at least near the sea!
        
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        loiswakeman
        
        http://lois.co.uk
        
        07/04/08 @ 18:21:23
        
        Tom: I think part of the problem with scenes like this is not just exposure - but also contrast. If you have an editing program that allows you to apply a curve adjustment, try setting a small "S" curve to lighten the highlights and darken the shadows a little: it will give your photo a lot more "pop" and remove the rather faded appearance of the clouds.
        
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        SeasideMan ^Pro
        
        07/04/08 @ 18:42:34
        
        Thanks for the suggestion Lois, I appreciate it. Unfortunately though, I have no editing software at all.
        
        I think you are right about contrast and that is something I need to work on. My camera has fairly sophisticated contrast controls and I am only just learning how to use them. I need to spend some time with the manual and get some practice in. I intend to read up on it tonight and practice tomorrow.
        
        Thanks again for the advice.
        
        Tom.
        
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        SeasideMan ^Pro
        
        07/04/08 @ 18:38:17
        
        I guessed that was probably the case! Property seems to get more expensive the further South and the further East you go. Here in extreme West Mid-Wales, it's really quite reasonable.
        
        Tom.
        
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      - faffajane ^Pro
        
        http://faffajane.blog.co.uk/
        
        07/04/08 @ 19:42:44
        
        Alas very high
        
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- Sue (Visitor)
- http://192970
- 07/04/08 @ 22:53:18
Hi Tom
This is a response to your picture. The waves look like streaks of silver its beautiful but so are most of your pictures. It makes me feel sad that I'm so far from the sea.
For the SAD syndrome living near the sea on our island it is bound to be a better quality light with the relective quality of the sea. So it has to be good - doesn't it?
Sue
- - SeasideMan ^Pro
  - 07/04/08 @ 23:20:22
  Sue, it pleases me immensely that you like my pictures.
  
  Thankyou.
  
  I agree with you that the reflected light must be a boon for SAD sufferers. Lots of artists move to the coast because of the higher light levels so I suppose it's the same thing.
  
  Cheers, Tom.
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