THESE SUNNIES HELPED CURB MY SEASONAL AFFECTIVE DISORDER

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Who This is Perfect for: Anyone who tends to suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorde

Here’s where our editors share what they’re obsessing over now!

I sometimes ask myself, “How could anyone be happy when gloomy, cold winter weather hits?” During the early days of fall, you’re still on that natural high from fun in the summer sun and you’re ready to embrace the change of season and those lightweight layers you started to miss.

Then, almost out of nowhere, the sky turns gray, the hours of daylight lessen, and you notice a change in your behavior: lower energy, losing interest in things that made you happy, and even difficulty concentrating. These are all signs that you may suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). It’s more than just “winter blues” — it’s a form of depression.

Enter: Spy Optic Happy Lens Sunglasses — these sunnies are supposed to help you cope with SAD which is why I jumped at the opportunity to try them. And, spoiler alert — they work!

Crazy, right? No, these sunglasses don’t have some sort of Harry Potter-style magic that makes you instantly happy, BUT they do utilize some blue-light technology that helps to fight depression and sleepiness — it’s science! Without getting too deep into the science of it all, there’s a light spectrum of different wavelengths and energy (some harmful, some not) and these seriously cool sunnies from Spy Optic block out harmful short-wave blue light, yet still allow long-wave blue light through, to keep you alert and improve your mood.

Spy Optic Happy Lens sunglasses provide a similar effect you can get from light therapy (or SAD lamps, as they’re sometimes called) that utilizes an artificial light filtering out harmful UV light. Since we can’t all run around with a light box (like Ilana in that hilarious Broad City episode), I was so relieved to find sunglasses that could keep my mood elevated while running around town and trying to live my best life during the change of seasons

While testing these special Whistler-style sunglasses the past month during the beginning of SAD season, I really noticed a difference in my mood, even during the possibly infuriating rush-hour commute to work. They’ve also helped me ignore the grayer-than-normal sky, because these lenses play up the color and contrast of my surroundings — almost like an Instagram filter! Sunshine or clouds, it all looks basically the same when looking through Happy Lens glasses.

Normally during this time of the year, I’m less likely to want to do the fun outdoor activities that my friends are excited to plan, but this year I’ve felt more energetic and optimistic overall — picking out pumpkins, taking an autumn stroll in the park, and shopping around for a dope halloween costume. I’m a bit shook to say it, but I think there’s something to these sunnies!

And while it’s admittedly hard to measure happiness, if these sunnies can make the dark days of winter a little brighter, I’m here for it! Instead of worrying about the changing seasons, I’ll be looking at life through rose-colored lenses.