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Serotonin production, windows, and glasses

After taking a Lexapro (SSRI) and seeing immediate and lasting improvements (over the last month) to my anxiety symptoms I started looking at other ways I should be getting my serotonin.

I'm not an expert so please correct me if I'm wrong here. From what I understand, you first need an okay diet to produce it (bananas, turkey, etc). Second, you activate the production of serotonin by either receiving sunlight, exercising, or from medicine. You restore this ability through getting plenty of sleep.

Initially I thought I was getting enough sunlight. I work next to a window in an office and drive for 1.5 hours a day when it's light out. Yet, this never seemed to help my anxiety. What I didn't grasp was that all these windows block UV rays and UV rays are what activates serotonin production when it hits your eye. On top of this, even when I do go outside, I wear glasses. I'm quite certain they have UV protection so even then I'm not getting the full effect.

In a sense, I'm being effected by seasonal affective disorder year round. Is what I said sound correct? Does anyone have suggestions on how I might improve my serotonin production? Should I get glasses with no UV protection? Will rolling the windows down in my car help (I've got a moon roof too)?

Posted Jul 31, 2017, 2:57 PM UTC

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