Let’s Light Up the Winter

As we get further into the winter season and the days become dark early in the evenings, many people start to feel a mental shift that they can’t exactly explain. Motivation starts to fall, and energy levels begin to dip a little more than usual. It’s easy to just chalk it up to the winter blues and ignore its impact, but the truth is that light (and the lack thereof) can have a massive effect on mental health, especially for those in recovery! Changing of the seasons (and the clocks) can increase the effects of seasonal depression, isolation, stress, and fatigue, which is why Centered refuses to overlook these issues in our treatment. Our approach to recovery is holistic and aims to support clients physically, psychologically, and emotionally, which is why we incorporate various options for busting the winter blues. One of our newest integrations is red light therapy! Centered offers red light therapy as an adjunct treatment option with professional-grade lights and a relaxing therapeutic space for our clients to get some rest and rejuvenation. Red light therapy isn’t a gimmick or a wellness trend. It is truly a meaningful complement to recovery for optimal well-being.

Why Winter Impacts Mood

Seasonal depression, clinically known as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), correlates with the impacts of decreased sunlight exposure. When we are exposed to less sunlight, especially during the winter months, the body’s systems begin to shift as our circadian rhythms get disrupted. This leads to changes in sleep-wake cycles, serotonin and melatonin levels, and overall energy. Over time, these biological changes can evolve into psychological changes such as sadness, fatigue, irritability, difficulty concentrating, and lowered motivation. 

For people in recovery from substance use, these changes can create additional challenges. Lowered energy and mood levels can make engaging in daily routines and treatment programs even more difficult, especially considering how post-acute withdrawal can exacerbate these feelings as well. The tendency to isolate in recovery can also be naturally increased during winter months due to the colder weather and earlier sunsets, which can impact the benefits of social connection in recovery. Sleep issues commonly occur in recovery and seasonal depression as well, which is a double whammy for irritability, cravings, and impulsivity. All of this highlights that the winter months can truly affect the mind and body in ways that make recovery more difficult, which is why red light therapy is a great option to counteract these concerns.

How Red Light Therapy Can Ease the Winter Blues

So, what exactly is red light therapy? It’s not just for athletes and skincare influencers – it’s for everyone! Red light therapy works by using red and near-infrared wavelengths to stimulate cellular function at a deeper physiological level. From a basic biological level, red light therapy reduces inflammation, improves sleep quality, and increases overall energy. And then, these physical benefits generate emotional and mental benefits as well! New research shows that red light therapy plays a critical role in improving mood and sleep regulation, highlighting a decrease in depressive symptoms and cognitive fog. Okay, so what does that mean for recovery?

It means lowered cravings, reduced stress, improved sleep, and a greater sense of overall emotional well-being when used consistently. Additionally, setting aside the intentional act of engaging in a red light therapy session regularly offers a structured moment of self-care and stillness. It is a mindful experience in itself! It’s a quiet moment to breathe, reset, and ground yourself, whether for recovery or just for general well-being.

Introducing Centered’s Red Light Therapy Studio

And that is why Centered is proud to announce that we are implementing our own Red Light Studio right in our Roswell office! Our staff intentionally designed this studio to optimize the human experience with maximum mindfulness benefits. Our red light therapy studio is equipped with medical-grade red light machines that, unlike Amazon/home devices, provide therapeutic levels of light exposure. Being in our office, it is easily accessible to our clients to use as they complete groups throughout the day to integrate their red light routine with ease.

Whether you are looking for improved sleep benefits or a boost in energy, this studio is a brief reminder of the deeper intention and work that our clients are putting into themselves and their recovery. When the body feels supported, the mind becomes more available for growth and healing. And then, what we see is that our clients who feel more energized, well-rested, and emotionally stable are more engaged, more present, and more capable of practicing the skills they are learning in our program.

A Typical Session at Centered’s Red Light Studio

Clients enter our relaxing red light studio with a comfortable recliner, low lighting, and their choice of spa sounds, meditations, podcasts, or pure silence. Comfortable blankets are available to allow them to fully rest and unwind in the moment. Sessions last 15 minutes and are encouraged to be used several times a week, or as often as they would like! While red-light therapy is not a cure for depression or substance use in itself, it still offers meaningful support during a season when people often feel depleted. For some clients, it becomes part of a winter self-care routine. For others, it acts as a stabilizing factor that keeps them re-engaged in treatment. And for many, it simply feels good!

However, we are careful to remind our clients that red light therapy works best when combined with evidence-based treatment, not instead of it. Recovery is multifaceted. No single tool replaces the depth of mindfulness practice, counseling, group connection, or lifestyle changes. Instead, red light therapy serves as an addition that enhances the benefits of all the other work clients are doing!

Stepping Into A Brighter Winter

Winter doesn’t have to be a season that pulls people away from their recovery. With thoughtful supports in place with our intensive outpatient program, mindfulness practices, group connection, and adjunct tools like red light therapy, this time of year can feel lighter, more manageable, and even restorative. Light is powerful. So is recovery. And we’re here to help you access both here at Centered Recovery!