by Lorene Edwards Forkner
Under leaden grey skies, pedestrians scurry along rain-slicked sidewalks, shoulders hunched against the blustery cold. Wan complexions, a permanent crick in the neck and a regional disposition to Seasonal Affective Disorder are annual health hazards for residents of our beautiful, yet sun-challenged Pacific Northwest.
Studies have shown that more than 30 percent of folks living in northern latitudes (read: us!) suffer under this emotional dark cloud compared to less than 5 percent of the population in sunny southern regions.
SAD is a form of depression triggered by winter's shortened daylight hours. Symptoms vary in severity, and generally include a marked slump in energy, mood and motivation which can affect self-esteem and leave you feeling isolated, lonely and, well, sad.
The cure: light. Literally, go outdoors - rain or shine. Even 30 minutes of daylight exposure is enough to counteract the dispiriting effects of our long winter nights. Take a walk or putter in the garden; mild exercise boosts endorphins and activates the brain to further alleviate depressive symptoms, even though it can be tough to launch ourselves into the cold and rain each morning.
Lucky is the gardener with a well-lit greenhouse. Hours spent snug in its warmth basking in bright florescent lighting is good for plants and gardener alike. It seems that foliage and our optic nerves both respond positively to an artificial sun; a good excuse to spend the morning starting seeds, potting up cuttings and pampering overwintered plants.
The highly rated Indoor Sun Shoppe has been a ray of sunshine in Seattle's dark skies for more than 38 years. They're the Northwest's go-to experts for light therapy equipment used to treat the winter blues. "Plug in a light, rather than curse the dark," says Jerry Addington, the store's resident authority. "Humans are hardwired for daylight; getting up in the dark and staying up long after sunset goes against our very nature. Light therapy helps us adapt to a modern life."
Still can't get off the couch? A visit to the Yard, Garden & Patio Show or the Northwest Flower and Garden Show this month may be just what the doctor ordered. Sensational display gardens blaze with color, ingenuity and wit to dazzle winter-dulled senses. An exciting roster of free seminars and hands-on demonstrations put the "how-to" into the "oh-wow." You'll get a heady dose of spring right in the midst of winter - just what the doctor ordered.
Lorene Edwards Forkner, freelance writer, garden designer and food enthusiast, lives in Seattle and revels in the seasonal pleasures and broad scope of gardening in the Pacific Northwest. She's a contributing writer to "Northwest Garden News" and author of "Growing Your Own Vegetables."