​Battling Seasonal Depression With a Little Help From Negative Ions

Seasonal depression is a real thing and despite the happiness that can come from this festive time of year, some of us will have a blue Christmas. But… not if negative ions have anything to do with it!

Negative ions can be an asset to anyone who struggles with seasonal depression, especially during the winter holiday months when those feelings of depression can be heightened.

What is seasonal depression and why does it happen?

Seasonal affective disorder or SAD is a kind of depression that is triggered by the change in seasons. It typically begins around the start of fall, but hits its peak in the cold months of winter.

About 5% of adults in the U.S. experience SAD and it tends to start in young adulthood. However, around 10% to 20% of people in America may get a milder form of seasonal depression. Typically, seasonal depression affects women more than men–though experts aren’t entirely sure why that is.

But why does seasonal depression peak during the winter months, specifically?

In short, the weather is colder and the days feel shorter, which creates the perfect environment for the winter blues. And to top it all off, is anyone happy to look outside their window at 4:00 PM and see that the sun has already set?

Who is at risk for SAD?

Seasonal depression is more common for people in young adulthood, particularly women. However, you can also be at a higher risk if you have another mood disorder, have relatives with SAD or mental health conditions, live in places that have less sunlight during the winter, and/or live in a cloudy region.

With this in mind, there are many things that you can do if you know you’re at risk.

One easily accessible treatment option starts right in nature with negative ions.

How can negative ions help?

High exposure to negative ions may reduce symptoms of depression. This is because negative ions can potentially…

• Regulate sleep patterns and mood
• Reduce stress
• Boost immune system function
• Increase metabolism of carbs and fats
• Improve serotonin levels

There have been multiple studies designed to evaluate the antidepressant effect of negative ions as a treatment for seasonal depression. Most found that even just low exposure time to negative ions was enough to reduce symptoms of SAD.

It's easier to battle those winter blues with IonLoop accessories by your side. We make it possible for you to wear your negative ions and reap the benefits of extra exposure to them all day long!