High Tech Solutions For the Winter Blues

By Linsey Knerl (from Wise Bread) on January 26, 2011

How can you fight the battle of the winter blues with so little daylight and so much to do? You can start with these effective tech solutions designed to increase energy, produce vitamin D, or just inspire a little bit of mid-season hope.

Philips goLITE Blu
I own this light myself, and as an avid fan of using light therapy in the home to beat the blahs and focus my attitude, I am thrilled with the compact size and the ability to tuck it in a carry-on for a weekend trip. The small unit can sit in a desk or kitchen table, generates no heat, and is safe for even children to use (check with your pediatrician for details.) Use the Philips goLITE Blu for 15 - 45 minutes a day to boost energy and help improve mood with no interruption in your daily routine. (I use mine while working at the computer!) This light is popular among busy professionals, and you don't need a medical RX to begin using it. Prices for the light range from $150 - 200.

winter blues honeywell humidifier.jpg Honeywell UV Cool Mist Tower Humidifier
One of the biggest complaints heard during the winter months is "It's so dry!" Humidifiers are a wonderful, affordable way to combat chapped lips, dry skin, allergy flare-ups, and general discomfort when staying long periods indoors. The newer humidifiers are sleeker, more-attractive versions of past years' offerings, and some (like the Honeywell UV Cool Mist Tower) offer an added layer of chic with its germ-killing skills. Since humidifiers can be a haven for bacteria and other icky things, it's good to know that UV humidifiers can kill over 99% of the living stuff that makes you sick. With the capability to run almost 24 hours on one tank of water, it's a maintenance-free solution to a common winter problem.

Not sure that you need a humidifier? A hygrometer (not to be confused with a hydrometer) can tell you exactly how much humidity is in the air where you live and work. They are available at most home improvement and gadget stores for between $20 - 80.

LightSleeper
Not getting enough sleep (or not staying asleep during the night) can have terrible consequences on your daily mood and energy level - especially during the winter months. Gadgets like the LightSleeper are designed to "lull" the user into a gentle sleep by having you focus on a light that's projected onto the ceiling. Similar to counting sheep, it relaxes the mind and prevents you from "overthinking" and becoming anxious about the prospect of falling asleep. This handy gadget can counter the overstimulation of reading, watching TV, or playing MMORPG before bedtime. At this time, LightSleeper is only made and marketed in the UK. Americans may want to check out a similar product called NightWave, which is available in the US.

AeroGarden
Many studies have been done on the effect that living plants can have on the mood of people that work and study near them, but keeping anything more than a typical fern alive during the brutal winter may be difficult. If the thought of having fresh wildflowers or even tomatoes flourish in the cold season is a mood-lifter, you might want to consider the AeroGarden line of indoor gardens. The dirt-free units come with seed pods that have everything they need to grow for a total of 3 months or more, and the gadget tells you exactly what actions to take to preserve the plant throughout the blooming process. The gardens come in a variety of sizes and colors (I bought one to match my tween daughter's lime green room), and there are even tall systems that can accommodate larger vine plants. If picking a fresh tomato during sub-zero temps doesn't put you in a fine mood - we're not sure what will! ($60 - $120 at the official website.)

Note: This article is intended to provide readers solutions for helping deal with the common occurrence of feeling a bit unmotivated or down during the winter months, not as a replacement for the professional advice recommended for treating any medical disorder, including SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder). Please see a doctor if you feel increasingly agitated, depressed, or concerned.

Do you find yourself a bit droopy when the sun shines less and the air gets chilly? What tech tools would you like to use this season to stay focused and refreshed?

[Top image credit: iStockphoto]