When Your Body Gets the Blues

by Marie-Annette Brown, Jo Robinson

A groundbreaking guide to sub-clinical depression, one of the most underdiagnosed conditions in women today, presents a simple eight-week program, which uses light therapy, moderate exercise, and vitamins, that is scientically proven to combat depression, overcome fatigue, and provide a greater sense of control, balance, and well-being. Reprint.

Genres: Health, Nonfiction

224 pages, Paperback

First published February 23, 2002

Reviews

[Jenny]

I read some of this book online at GoogleBooks. I've been telling DH for years that he could tell what my mood was going to be (ie -- will I be cranky or will he get lucky) by the time of the month it was. He thought I was crazy, but eventually realized I was right. This book explains how hormones affect mood and how it relates to your menstrual cycle. I especially liked the contrast with men's hormone levels: "There is no male equivalent to the rise and fall of hormones that women experience with each menstrual cycle." It explains a lot about why men can not understand why women are weird sometimes. There's simply no frame of reference.

Anyway, I guess I'm narrow-minded enough to like books that validate me. This one did, and I may ask DH to read it. It helped me feel less concerned about those times when I randomly feel anxious. Nothing's wrong, but I FEEL like something is. It's hard to combat those feelings with rationality. I hope understanding more about how hormones affect mood can help.

As far as the LEVITY cure-all promised in the book -- I'm not down with popular self-healing stuff. Wouldn't try it, so can't say if it works. But the studies were interesting.

[JHM]

I think that the very simple actions recommended by the researcher authors of this book could have a profound, positive impact on the lives of thousands of women: get more natural light, go for twenty minutes walks five times a week, and take specific easily-obtained vitamin and mineral supplements. What makes the book even more valuable are its structure and tone.

The authors gracefully, gently, and convincingly blend their own scientific research, the findings of other researchers, the experiences of the participants in the LEVITY study, actionable advice, and tips and tools for helping to overcome obstacles to present a plan that I am determined to start.

On a specialist note, this is an excellent example of research translation and dissemination: taking the results of a scientific study and the peer reviewed paper that it produced (which they include in the very last section of the book!) and then writing up the results in a way that is accessible and actionable for the ordinary people who could benefit from it.

[Libbeth]

I followed the LEVITY formula - Light,Exercise,and Vitamin Intervention Therapy during the winter of 2006 and it made a remarkable difference to winter blues.
In fact, writing this quick review has reminded me to look out for the first signs of the blues and get the appropriate vitamins - either through a supplement or dedicated diet additions.

[Alise]

This woman did a study in Seattle on women who were not depressed and had them walk outside 20 minutes a day (or light box + indoor excercise if not able to go outside) and took certain vitamins and their moods all improved. I haven't tried any vitamins but I definitely feel happier when I get outside and excercise!

[Catherine]

I've found this book to be very helpful in dealing with the winter blahs. I definitely recommend it.

[Sotteria Wetsch]

My doctor recommended it. This book saved me! It is the natural way to fight depression.

[Laura J.]

Very interested in testing this out and seeing if it makes a difference.... seems simple enough. :)