Like many other people around the world, I have discovered in the last 15 years that both my husband and I suffer from some level of Seasonal Affective Disorder. This affliction is also commonly called winter blues or winter depression. I think that winter blues more accurately describes what happens to me during winter months, when the days are shorter and dreary. It is my belief that my symptoms would be most common with others throughout the world.

There are many causes for the problems associated with Seasonal Affective Disorder or SAD, such as lack of sunshine, shortened days, slowdown in physical activity and even less getting out and being busy because of weather conditions. For me, just the psychological effect of business slowing down for the winter season has an effect on me. No devastating effects, but more subtle "winter blues" that seem to come and go throughout the season. Some of the common symptoms that are associated with Seasonal Affective Disorder are lack of energy, stamina, motivation, performance and a not so great sense of well-being.

The winter of 2009-2010 was especially long, cold and dreary where we live and do business, as well as for most of the country. I did not realize until very recently when I was speaking with some people about how long and cloudy this winter has been that both my husband and I really cruised through this winter with very little effects from the winter blues. We began taking advantage of the benefits of our Q-Link Pendants a little over a year ago.

In past winters we have looked for anything we could find to help us deal with our winter dilemma . We tried putting light bulbs that provide our residence and work place with natural outdoor lighting. We have taken Vitamin D, which is lost in our bodies when sunlight is lacking and we have even taken St. John’s Wort and other herbal supplements to help get us through the winter. I even purchased a sun

lamp to sit under daily and I do believe that all of these things have helped some, but none of them solved the problem.

After this past winter came and is on its way out, I realized we did not seek out these other alternatives to help us through. It seems I had more energy, less stress, greater focus and really just a better sense of well-being. In years past, I would spend endless hours sitting around the house feeling tired and unmotivated to do anything. This past winter, I am lucky to get in more than hour of watching television

because I’ve been busy doing other stuff. Sometimes now it’s hard for me to sit around and watch tv for a long time. It is my experience in knowing that my Q-Link helped during the hectic, stressful times of the year and busy schedules. What a very pleasant surprise to find that I had achieved wonderful personal balance and well-being during my toughest time of the year.

Feeling better through this time helped me to be more productive, energetic, and happy. With my winter being that good, I’m looking forward to having a great spring, summer , fall and even a great winter next year.