Episode Details

In this episode of the Joy Lab podcast, hosts Dr. Henry Emmons and Dr. Aimee Prasek announce the new NMH Mailbag and address a listener's question about the appropriate use of SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) lights, discussing optimal usage periods and considerations for adjusting use based on personal response. The discussion also touches on vitamin D supplementation during specific times of the year for those living in northern latitudes, emphasizing the balance between supplement use and natural sun exposure.

Key moments:

00:00 Welcome to Joy Lab 00:39 Diving Into the Mailbag: Co-Creating Joyful Episodes 02:04 Shedding Light on SAD Lights: When to Use Them and Why 06:56 Embracing the Sun: The Natural Alternative to SAD Lights 08:10 Vitamin D and Seasonal Changes: Supplementing for Wellbeing 10:04 Wrapping Up: Co-Creation, Supplements, and a Quote

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Sources and Notes:

• Joy Lab Program: Take the next leap in your wellbeing journey with step-by-step practices to help you build and maintain the elements of joy in your life. Your Joy Lab membership also includes our NMH Community!
• NMH Community: Access lots of extra resilience-boosting resources (like our Sleeping Well Workshop) AND you'll join a group of inspiring folks who play an integral role in keeping this podcast going... which means powerful resources stay accessible to everyone.
• Resilience Quiz and free Mini-Course: Based on decades of clinical experience, we've created a model of resilience that is both helpful and practical. True to our approach at Natural Mental Health, we start with strengths. You'll identify these strengths in your Resilience Type. Your Resilience Type highlights your unique strengths, what fuels your joy, what keeps you in balance, and the lifestyle practices that most nourish you. After you find your Resilience Type, sign up for your free mini-course to receive tailored lifestyle practices (e.g., foods to eat more of, ideal forms of exercise, supplements, and mindfulness activities) that can support your mood, resilience, and overall wellbeing.
• Joy Lab podcast on springtime SAD: The Spring-Time Mood Change to Know About (ep. 121)
• More about SAD, light therapy, and Vitamin D from the NMH blog:
• Seasonal Affective Disorder in the Summer
• What Causes Seasonal Affective Disorder?
• Does Winter Get You Down?
• A Light on Seasonal Affective Disorder: Definition, Treatment, & Prevention
• Natural Approaches for Seasonal Affective Disorder and Supporting Winter Mood
• SAD Light Therapy
• Vitamin D3 Benefits, Dosage, and Side Effec