First Choice Releases ‘Out Like a Light’ Infographic

LONDON, November 23, 2011 /PRNewswire/ –

-New infographic commissioned by First Choice explores the
issue of SAD and the winter blues and highlights the importance of sunlight

in our lives-

First Choice [http://www.firstchoice.co.uk ], one of the UK’s leading
leisure travel companies, has released an infographic that sheds light on
how the lack of sunshine during the winter months is affecting a large
proportion of the population in northern countries.

The infographic [http://blog.firstchoice.co.uk/out-like-a-light ] shows
that 7 per cent of the UK population is affected by seasonal affective
disorder (SAD), a type of depression that materialises during the winter
months when hours of daylight and levels of sunlight are at a minimum. A
further 17 per cent are said to be affected by a milder form of the disorder
called subsyndromal SAD, but more commonly known as winter blues.

First Choice commissioned the infographic after questioning whether the
spike in holiday bookings it experiences annually in January could be put
down to its customers longing to escape to sunnier climes and escape the
near perpetual darkness of winter. First Choice pulled together data from
knowledgeable sources such as the Seasonal Affective Disorder Association,
Mood Disorders Society of Canada, Bupa and SAD.org.uk to create the
infographic.

First Choice’s research revealed residents in northern countries saw
little to absolutely no sunlight outside the regular working hours of 9am to
5pm between November and January. New Yorkers can look forward to just under
two hours of daylight in December, while London workers have just over an
hour before starting their work day and Helsinki nine-to-fivers see none at
all.

Nathan Timmins, Head of Online Marketing for First Choice comments: “Our
findings in this infographic draw attention to just how little exposure to
sunlight most of us have at this time of year. When you consider that SAD
and subsyndromal SAD affects 7 and 17 per cent of the UK population
respectively, with a higher percentage in some other northern countries,
it’s really no surprise that we see so many people booking beach holidays
[http://www.firstchoice.co.uk/sun-holidays/adult-holidays/beach-escapes ]
during the darker months.

“Although winter weather can leave us all feeling a bit sluggish, SAD
and subsyndromal SAD sufferers can feel crippled during the winter months.
Sunlight is vital in enabling us to live happy, healthy lives and deal with
everyday stresses, so topping up on your sunshine levels is important to
ensuring your happiness not only in the winter months, but all year round.”

Jonathan Cridland, CEO at light therapy specialist, Lumie, said: “Office
workers especially can struggle to receive the sufficient levels of light
required to keep their circadian rhythm in synch with their working day as
they wake-up in the dark, commute in low light conditions and more often
than not, opt to sit inside during their lunch break.

“If a colleague or employee is suffering from SAD, a winter holiday to
somewhere bright can help immensely. Similarly if they want to prolong the
holiday feeling on their return or just can’t get away, medical research has
also shown light therapy to be effective as it helps alleviate the symptoms
of SAD and has also been shown lift mood, boost alertness and increase
productivity, too.”

For details of how to win a Lumie light check out the infographic at

http://blog.firstchoice.co.uk/out-like-a-light

Notes to Editors:

To embed the infographic online please use the code featured on the
First Choice blog:

blog.firstchoice.co.uk/out-like-a-light/

About Lumie:

Cambridge-based Lumie offers 20 years experience and expertise in light
therapy and light therapy only for consumer healthcare and wellbeing, and
invented the dawn simulator / wake up lights, with our Bodyclock range so
that anyone could feel the benefits of waking up to light all year round.

As Europe’s leading light therapy specialist, Lumie offers a wide
selection of products, including Bodyclock dawn simulators, lightboxes and
LED treatments, all of which are certified as medical devices and are
available to customers on a 30 day home trial.

Based on scientific research, Lumie has lights for skincare, the
treatment of mood and circadian rhythm disorders such as Seasonal Affective
Disorder (SAD) and sleep issues, and for the relief of allergies like hay
fever. Lumie is also an official supplier to British Swimming athletes.

Working in association with leading experts in Dermatology, Psychiatry
and Chronobiology, Lumie has earned the respect of the medical profession by
innovating products that are based on developments in scientific research
and clinical trials. Lumie is a massive success in the mainstream health and
wellbeing arena and prides itself on providing the highest level of
personalised care to customers by offering knowledgeable, friendly advice
through its customer care team and via its internet forum,

http://www.lumie.com/forum.

In the UK our products are available through http://www.lumie.com as
well as major retailers like John Lewis, Boots, Tesco and Selfridges and we
have an expanding network of distributors across Europe and in North
America.

SOURCE First Choice