Is there a lower incidence of depression in HI because of more light exposure in the winter months? On the mainland, a lot of people sit in front of light-boxes to prevent Seasonal Affective Disorder.

-- Hannah Beck (christianbeck@worldnet.att.net), January 12, 1999

Answers

Don't know, but after spending 7 winters in the cold midwest, all I can say is that I definitely don't get cabin fever anymore. The cost of living is high, but then I don't have to shovel snow, put on and take off winter clothes, slip on ice or sit in front of a light box--- just go on out to the beach and lie in the sun---in fact it's 79 and sunny outside right now. Sorry for being so cruel.

-- Billy Bosnoda (bosnoda@lava.net), January 12, 1999.

Actually one of the main reasons i am moving out to Hawaii shortly is exactly because of this "lack of SAD"

-- Ania (a_hofner@hotmail.com), July 24, 2001.

I'm moving there for the same reason. I was born on the mainland but I feel like I'm dying a slow painful death all winter long. I'm taking antidepressants in the hopes that it will help, but the only thing that makes me feel better is counting the days till I arrive at Honolulu International Airport!

-- Amber Quisenberry (quisenb2@tcnj.edu), November 03, 2003.