Page 23 - link magazine

Local Lives 23
Freshbrook Parish of West Swindon
Throwing light on a SAD problem Evangelical & The Lydiards
LXJIL Anglican, Baptist, Methodist, URC
Did you feel down and unhappy during the long rainy days in Church
All Saints, L. Millicent (10.30am)
October? Did you brighten up on those crisp, sunny days towards the Worsley Road St. Mary's, L.Tregoze (10.30am)
end of the month? Did you dread turning back the clock last weekend? for Freshbrook & Grange Park)
Will give YOU Rev. Rob BurIes 870244
The 'winter blues are well know to many. But some understanding of that
depression that creeps up on people at this time of the year has resulted a warm welcome Holy Trinity, Shaw (10.30am)
Sunday lOam Family Praise with
from research conducted over the last ten years. A Swindon victim of the Rev. Andrew Hethrington 770568
children's Covenanter Movement
condition known as 'Seasonal Affective Disorder' (SAD) can now offer & creche Toothill Church (10.45am)
relief for many people struggling with the same problem. Rev. George Gibson 692620
630pm Evening Worship and Westlea Church (lOam)
For large numbers of people, the months of feeling totally wrecked Communion Rev Peter & Ruth Walker 872932
quality and intensity of light they're and in despair, I started to feel better For details of mid-week meetings,
exposed to has a fundamental effect after several sessions in front of a house groups and other Evening & other services as
on behaviour ranging from mild de- light box. The fatigue and depres- announced. Full range
activities, telephone the of children's and other groups.
pression and feelings of tiredness sion returned after I gave the lights Church Office, Tel: 873050 Church Office: 874221
right through to drastic changes in back"
mood, personality, ea ting and sleep- After that experience last winter
ing habits.
Martha started to study the problem MOBILE
Office and factory workers who and made contact with the makers
spend their day under artificial light, of special 'full spectrumlights.' Now PFS MECHANIC
and young mothers, often indoors she represents the company locally
with new babies, can experience this and hopes to bring relief to sufferers SECURITY WE COME TO YOU
change. Children can also suffer, of light deprivation. SYSTEMS • Non-Starts . Servicing ' Tuning
but their problems can be mistak- "The primitive instinct to hiber- M.O.T. Work • Breakdowns
enly dismissed as nate during the INSTALLATION & • Electrical Faults
awkwardness winter is still just MAINTENANCE OF • Clutches fitted
and even slow under the sur-
learning. INTRUDER-FIRE
faceinmanypeo-
Many people pie" said Martha. ALARM SYSTEMS
who feel tired or "Changingthe
'off colour' visit lighting in the 74 Victoria Road, Swindon No Garage Prices or Waiting
their G.P. who Tel: (0793) 642792
home or office to Please Telephone
might see the
reproduce the
problem as de- full spectrum of NACOSS Approved Installer Intruder Alarms 876211 ANYTIME
pression and of- natural daylight
fer medication. can bring relief to
There are many sufferers of the HOOVER • HOTPOINT THE VALET SERVICE
causes of depres- winter blues. SPECIALIST FOR YOUR HOME
sion and it is cru-
cial to seek medi- "The research J. PHILLIPS
cal advice. evidence show-
mg improvement SERVICING DECORATING
One cause Martha Parry with SAD in behaviour be-
could be the lack sufferer Susan Sandy cause of better Repairs to most makes of INSIDE OR OUT
of good light. Washing Machines, Dryers, SPECIAL RATES FOR
light quality is PENSIONERS
Remember school science lessons. now too great to be ignored." Dishwashers, Microwaves
and Vacuum Cleaners
Light is made up a range of colours Some 5% of people are highly sen-
which you normally can't see, ex- sitive to light and most of these are Hoover Trained
cept in a rainbow. Without expo- women. However 25% are more Local Engineer Call Decor Valet
sure to the full spectrum, the body sensitive than average, while most All work guaranteed for a Free Estimate
can start to react in strange ways.
people are mildly affected. No VAT to pay SWINDON 824372
Martha Parry used to be manager
What is Martha's advice to oth- No job too small. Personal service
of the Link Centre's Community Tel: 526656 or 827804
ers? "Anybody who says 'I don't
Suite. Working under constant arti-
feel like myself' should think about
ficial flourescent light, for long hours
the causes. People often say prob-
over several years, her life started to
lems are 'all in your head.' Well
fall to pieces. For days on end she
maybe they are because the light HILLIER
would feel utterly exhausted with
entering your eyes has an enormous
theoccasional day of feeling brighter.
effect on the brain and the body."
Her doctor suggested it was the FUNERAL
stress at work, which she found easy She can demonstrate a portable
to accept. Finally, she changed jobs, light box and can supply a wide SERVICE LTD.
but it was too little, too late. She had range of low energy full spectrum
to take long term sick leave and at bulbs and flourescent lights for use
one point was sleeping for twenty in the home or workplace. Full spec- 170 Victoria Road 252 Whitworth Road
Swindon
hours a day. Eventually her GP sent trum lights cost more than the ordi- Swindon
her to a specialist who diagnosed nary lighting available in the shops, Tel: 522797 Tel: 522145
SAD. She was lent some special but the long term benefits in im-
lights which mimic daylight, with- proved health should make it worth- PRIVATE CHAPELS OF REST
out tanning the skin, and some or- while. 24 hour personal service throughout the year
der started to return to her life.
To talk to Martha Parry about A FAMILY BUSINESS OFFERING HELP
"It was surprising how much SAD and full spectrum lighting, give
AND ADVICE WHEN MOST NEEDED
change I felt," said Martha. "After her a call on 495140