John-
On the melatonin-
I suffer S.A.D., Seasonal Affective Disorder. This is a result of not enough melatonin.
The best therapy is sunlight. Psychiatrists prescribe "light boxes" which provide light with the proper UV rays, but are 1/1000 the lumens of sunlight. In both cases, one does not look directly at the light source, but is in a position that the rays will reach the pineal gland via the retina.
These UV rays stimulate the production and regulation of melatonin.
Eyeglasses with UV protection will stop the therapy.
So, what I do is check the location of the sun overhead before I do my exercise walk which is five days a week, 3 miles. walk in a direction so that my loop will give me the most time with the sun ahead of me rather than behind me. I wear no eyeglasses while i walk.
I also hike and cycle without my glasses.
My worst period is in the fall heading up to Thanksgiving. But I try to spend a good amount of time outside.
Give it a shot, it works very well for me.
The original science on this was taking a bunch of light deprived and depressed people from Erie, PA to Florida. Their depression lifted very quickly.
Melatonin is involved with a great deal of our behavior, so sleeplessness is not a surprise.
>>RSM
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