Lumie Launches Blue Monday – An Online SAD Clinic for SAD Sufferers

This winter, light therapy specialist Lumie is working together with leading experts, including the renowned psychiatrist and researcher who first identified Seasonal Affective Disorder, Dr Norman Rosenthal, to provide SAD sufferers a unique opportunity to interact via an online support network called Blue Monday.

(PRWeb UK/PRWEB ) November 10, 2009 -- Launching on 16 November 2009, Blue Monday will run every Monday during the winter months and into the New Year. Lumie’s first guest speaker, Dr Norman Rosenthal, author of successful book Winter Blues, will open the first session answering questions submitted by the general public at www.lumie.com/blue-monday. Other guest speakers lined up so far include the Met Office, UK based SAD charity, SADA and scientific experts working in the field.

Lumie Blue Monday schedule of speakers (information correct at time of print):

Weather affects people’s moods on a daily basis. For anyone with an interest in this fascinating area of study, this series of events is a great opportunity to learn more and even take part

Lumie has been in the light therapy business for over 18 years, during which we have established strong relationships with leading experts. This winter we wanted to provide SAD sufferers the opportunity to access these people too, so created Blue Monday as an online support network.

Blue Monday is primarily aimed at SAD sufferers who find it difficult to leave the confines of their own home, however we hope the concept will also appeal to friends and family members of those affected and others with a general interest in the subject.

By bringing everyone together online and under one roof, Lumie hopes to offer people a positive experience that proves to be of great value over the winter.

Week 2
19:00-20:30, 23 November 2009.
Sue Pavlovich is a spokesperson for SADA, the only UK charity for SAD. She'll be covering:
- the role of SADA
- choosing the right light therapy
- recognising SAD in yourself and others

Week 3
19:00-20:30, 30 November 2009.
Andrew Lane is Professor of Sports Psychology at the University of Wolverhampton and a chartered psychologist. He'll be talking about:
- exercise and its effect on mood

Week 4
19:00-20:30, 7 December 2009.
Doctor Rebecca Jelbert is a clinical psychologist involved in developing a new service for patients with SAD. She'll be covering:
- Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) for SAD

Week 5
19:00-20:30, 14 December 2009.
Jill Laughlin is our Customer Care Manager and knows light therapy and Lumie products inside out! She'll be talking about:
- light therapy and SAD

Week 6
19:00-20:30, 21 December 2009.
Doctor Victoria Revell is investigating circadian rhythms for the Human Chronobiology Group at the University of Surrey. She'll be covering:
- light and how it affects our health
- light levels and SAD

Week 7
19:00-20:30, 4 January 2010.
Wayne Elliott is a trained meteorologist and Head of Health Forecasting at the MET Office. He'll be talking about:
- the weather and how it affects our health

Recognised by the World Health Organisation, SAD is a medical condition that affects people between the months of September and October through to March and April. It is caused by a biochemical imbalance in the brain and stems from the lack of natural light available in winter.

Research has shown that the brain’s chemistry is affected by the amount of light entering the eye, influencing chemicals which control the body’s daily rhythms and mood. Melatonin is a hormone that signals it is night time (i.e. time for sleep). On dark winter mornings and dull grey days, melatonin levels stay too high and as a result people find it a real struggle to get going, some suffering to such an extent they experience symptoms of SAD.

Another contributing factor thought to affect SAD is low serotonin levels (also a common feature in those with depression). Serotonin is a neurotransmitter in the brain that responds to the levels of light, so when it’s dark, grey and overcast outside, people can be left feeling low.

Symptoms of SAD and the winter blues can differ from person to person. Some find they eat and sleep slightly more and take a general dislike to the dark mornings and short days – these people are likely to be suffering from the milder form of the condition, commonly referred to as the winter blues. Symptoms of SAD are much more severe and can cause disruption and considerable amounts of distress to a person’s life.

Those wishing to take part in Blue Monday simply need to register their details on the Lumie website, www.lumie.com/blue-monday – it is also advised that those wanting to ask an expert a question should submit them before each session.

Wayne Elliott, Head of Health Forecasting at the Met Office commented, “Weather affects people’s moods on a daily basis. For anyone with an interest in this fascinating area of study, this series of events is a great opportunity to learn more and even take part”.

Jonathan Cridland, CEO of Lumie, said: “Lumie has been in the light therapy business for over 18 years, during which we have established strong relationships with leading experts. This winter we wanted to provide SAD sufferers the opportunity to access these people too, so created Blue Monday as an online support network."

“Blue Monday is primarily aimed at SAD sufferers who find it difficult to leave the confines of their own home, however we hope the concept will also appeal to friends and family members of those affected and others with a general interest in the subject."

“By bringing everyone together online and under one roof, Lumie hopes to offer people a positive experience that proves to be of great value over the winter.”

Notes to editor

SAD symptoms include:

If you would like further information on the Lumie Blue Monday SAD clinic or details about our light therapy products, please contact Lindsay Stanley on 01954 780 500 or email lindsay@lumie.com. Please also contact us if you require case studies, research papers or contact with academic specialists.

Biographies for each of the speakers scheduled to appear on Blue Monday can be found attached to this email.

About Lumie:
Lumie is Europe’s market leader in light therapy and produces a range of quality products, including dawn simulators, bright light and visors, all of which are certified as medical devices. Light therapy provides relief to sufferers of mood disorders (such as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and the winter blues), boosts energy levels, improves sleep patterns and corrects body clock problems such as jet lag.

Lumie is a trademarked brand belonging to Outside In (Cambridge) Ltd, a company with over 18 years experience in light therapy that pioneered the first ever dawn simulator. Lumie quickly grew as a brand, providing a refreshing new look and approach to the market by using scientific expertise, product innovation and customer feedback.

Lumie has earned the respect of the medical profession by constantly evolving its portfolio of products based on new developments in scientific evidence and clinical trials. It is a massive success in the mainstream health and wellbeing arena and the Bodyclock range is fast-becoming the world’s best-selling form of light therapy. As well, Lumie also prides itself on providing the highest level of personalised care to its customers, through its customer care team and with the internet forum.

Lumie products are currently available by logging onto www.lumie.com, by calling 01954 780 500 or through nationwide stockists including Boots and John Lewis.

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