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Venus is the second planet from the Sun, orbiting it every 224.7 Earth days. It has the longest rotation period of any planet in the Solar System and rotates in the opposite direction to most other planets. It has no natural satellites. Wikipedia

Radius: 3,760 mi

Length of day: 116d 18h 0m

Surface area: 177.7 million mi²

Orbital period: 225 days

Mass: 4.867 × 10^24 kg (0.815 M⊕)

Distance from Sun: 67.24 million mi

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Learn something about the famous author.

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Another video from Mr. Sato. This is one you have already watched in class.

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One more video from Mr. Sato.

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"What are the Benefits of Sunlight"

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Sunlight and serotonin

We're used to hearing about how too much of the sun's warm rays can be harmful to your skin. But did you know the right balance can have lots of mood-lifting benefits?

Sunlight and darkness trigger the release of hormones in your brain. Exposure to sunlight is thought to increase the brain's release of a hormone called serotonin. Serotonin is associated with boosting mood and helping a person feel calm and focused. At night, darker lighting triggers the brain to make another hormone called melatonin. This hormone is responsible for helping you sleep.

Without enough sun exposure, your serotonin levels can dip. Low levels of serotonin are associated with a higher risk of major depression with seasonal pattern (formerly known as seasonal affective disorder or SAD). This is a form of depression triggered by the changing seasons.

A mood boost isn't the only reason to get increased amounts of sunlight. There are several health benefits associated with catching moderate amounts of rays.

Decreased sun exposure has been associated with a drop in your serotonin levels, which can lead to major depression with seasonal pattern. The light-induced effects of serotonin are triggered by sunlight that goes in through the eye. Sunlight cues special areas in the retina, which triggers the release of serotonin. So, you're more likely to experience this type of depression in the winter time, when the days are shorter.

Due to this connection, one of the main treatments for depression with seasonal pattern is light therapy, also known as phototherapy. You can get a light therapy box to have at home. The light from the box mimics natural sunlight that stimulates the brain to make serotonin and reduces excess melatonin.

Buy a light therapy box now.

Exposure to sunlight can also benefit those with:

Anxiety-related disorders and panic attacks have also been linked with changing seasons and reduced sunlight.

The sun's benefits go beyond fighting stress. The following are some of the other reasons to catch some rays:

Building strong bones

Exposure to the ultraviolet-B radiation in the sun's rays causes a person's skin to create vitamin D. According to one study from 2008, in a 30-minute period while wearing a swimsuit, people will make the following vitamin D levels:

50,000 international units (IUs) in most Caucasian people

20,000 to 30,000 IUs in tanned people

8,000 to 10,000 IUs in dark skinned people

The vitamin D made thanks to the sun plays a big role in bone health. Low vitamin D levels have been linked to rickets in children and bone-wasting diseases like osteoporosis and osteomalacia.

Cancer prevention

Although excess sunlight can contribute to skin cancers, a moderate amount of sunlight actually has preventive benefits when it comes to cancer.

According to researchers, those who live in areas with fewer daylight hours are more likely to have some specific cancers than those who live where there's more sun during the day. These cancers include:

Healing skin conditions

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), sun exposure might help treat several skin conditions, too. Doctors have recommended UV radiation exposure to treat:

While light therapy isn't for everyone, a dermatologist can recommend whether light treatments will benefit your specific skin concerns.

Additional conditions

Research studies have revealed preliminary links between sunlight as a potential treatment for several other conditions. These include:

However, more studies need to be conducted before researchers can conclude that sunlight can be a treatment for these and other conditions.

While there are a lot of good reasons to get sun, the sun emits ultraviolet (UV) radiation. UV radiation can penetrate the skin and damage cell DNA. This can lead to skin cancer.

Researchers don't always have an exact measurement for how long you should stay outside to reap the benefits of sunlight. But defining an excess amount of sun exposure depends on your skin type and how direct the sun's rays are.

People with fair skin typically get a sunburn more quickly than those with darker skin. Also, you're more likely to get a sunburn going outside when the sun's rays are more direct. This usually takes place between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

According to , getting anywhere from 5 to 15 minutes of sunlight on your arms, hands, and face 2-3 times a week is enough to enjoy the vitamin D-boosting benefits of the sun. Note that the sun must penetrate the skin. Wearing sunscreen or clothing over your skin won't result in vitamin D production.

But if you're going to be outside for more than 15 minutes, it's a good idea to protect your skin. You can do that by applying sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15. Wearing a protective hat and shirt can also help.

From treating skin conditions to improving mood, sunlight has many benefits. If you live in higher latitudes with little sunlight, a light box may provide some of its mood-boosting benefits.

Because excess sun exposure is linked with increased skin cancer risk, don't stay outside too long without sunscreen. If you're going to be outside for longer than 15 minutes or so, you'll need a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15.

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A mood boost isn't the only reason to get increased amounts of sunlight. There are several health benefits of sunlight. Adding a little sunshine to your life by getting outside can relieve anxiety, reduce depression, and help with other conditions. We explain all about the health benefits of getting some sun.

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Based on articles #1 and #2, tell why Margot could be suffering from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). What would be the best way to treat her condition? Use textual evidence from the articles to support your decision. You need to use at least one quote from each article in your response. Also, you must use the RACE method when writing your paper. Due date: TBA

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"Seasonal Affective Disorder" (SAD)

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Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is now more commonly known as major depressive disorder with seasonal pattern. It is a type of depression that tends to affect people who live in countries farther from the equator. It is most common during the winter months and tends to resolve in springtime.

Other names for major depressive disorder with seasonal pattern include SAD, winter depression, and seasonal depression.

According to the American Psychiatric Association (APA), the condition affects about 5% of people in the United States.

Symptoms can last for approximately 40% of the year.

In this article, we look at how this condition develops, who might be at risk, and the available treatment options.

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SAD is a seasonal condition that tends to affect people during the winter months.

People with SAD, or major depressive disorder with seasonal pattern, experience symptoms of depression with gradually increasing frequency as days start getting shorter. These symptoms slowly improve in early spring, as the amount of sunlight increases.

The APA suggest that this condition might occur when reduced exposure to sunlight triggers a chemical imbalance in the brain. However, more research is necessary to confirm the cause.

Seasonal changes in sunlight affect the circadian rhythms that regulate a person's sense of time. Some people consider this to be their "internal biological clock," and disruption to the circadian rhythm can significantly disrupt mood.

According to Harvard Medical School, women experience SAD more often than men. SAD also develops in young people more often than in older adults.

It is also more common in people who live farther north of the equator, as winter further reduces the hours of daylight in these locations.

Less commonly, some people experience SAD during the summer months.

The symptoms of SAD are similar to those of depression. The major difference is that symptoms develop as winter approaches and resolve during springtime.

Most people's symptoms occur and resolve at the same time every year.

Symptoms are usually mild as autumn advances and the hours of daylight start to decline. The severity, characteristics, and patterns of SAD can vary considerably from person to person.

The signs and symptoms of SAD tend to include:

anxious feelings that are out of proportion with their cause or trigger

feelings of guilt and worthlessness

stress and irritability

difficulties in making decisions

reduced concentration

consistent low mood

reduced libido

restless activity, such as pacing

crying, often with no apparent trigger

feelings of fatigue, even after a full night's sleep

sleeping for too long

increased appetite

social withdrawal and a reduced interest in activities that once provided pleasure

difficulty concentrating

overeating and possible weight gain

suicidal ideation

A doctor may not diagnose this condition in people who experience SAD as an effect of seasonally related psychosocial stressors. For instance, people who work seasonally may not have employment during the winter, and they may exhibit some symptoms of depression as a result.

Some people experience these symptoms during the summer rather than the winter, with symptoms resolving during the wintertime. However, the most common presentation of SAD occurs during the winter months.

Certain factors can affect a person's risk of developing SAD. We discuss these in more detail below:

Sex

Women are more likely than men to experience SAD, though this may be due to the higher prevalence of overall depression among women.

According to a 2015 overview in the journal Depression Research and Treatment, diagnoses of SAD are four times more common in women than men.

Geography

The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) suggest that living farther from the equator can increase the risk of developing SAD.

People who live in places where the days are much shorter in winter are more susceptible.

Family history

Having close relatives with a history of other types of depression can increase the likelihood that SAD may develop.

Personal history of depression

People with a history of depression or bipolar disorder, as well as those who currently have either of these conditions, are more likely to develop SAD.

However, a doctor will only reach a diagnosis of SAD if depression symptoms become more common during a particular season each year.

Experts are still unsure of the exact causes of SAD. However, studies have pointed to the following factors:

Reduced serotonin production during winter

Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that plays a key role in moderating mood. It binds to a particular protein to travel around the body.

Levels of this protein usually drop during the winter months to protect a person against the environmental stress of the season.

However, one 2016 longitudinal study in the journal Brain found that people with SAD do not experience a decrease in serotonin transporter levels during winter. The risk is especially high in people who are prone to affective disorders.

Disrupted melatonin levels

Melatonin is a hormone that influences sleep patterns and mood.

The NIMH maintain that reduced exposure to sunlight during winter's shorter days disrupts the balance of melatonin in the body.

Reduced vitamin D production

A in rats, the results of which appear in the journal Genes & Nutrition, found links between vitamin D and serotonin that could explain the onset of depression in some people.

The body produces vitamin D after exposure to sunlight. Getting less sunlight during the winter months might explain the cycle of depressive symptoms that characterize SAD.

The doctor may ask the following questions to identify whether or not SAD is present:

How long has the person been experiencing symptoms?

How severe are the symptoms?

How do they affect daily activities?

Have there been any changes in sleeping or eating patterns?

Can the person identify a shift in thoughts and behaviors during different seasons?

Can they provide information on any relevant family medical history, such as a close family member with depression, bipolar, or other affective disorders?

Because there are several types of depression, it might take some time for a doctor to diagnose SAD accurately. No medical or laboratory test is available for diagnosing this condition. However, the doctor may order some diagnostic tests, including blood tests, to rule out other illnesses or underlying conditions.

The APA do not class SAD as a separate disorder in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-5). Instead, SAD is a "course specifier."

A healthcare professional will only diagnose SAD if a person has symptoms of major depressive disorder that develop and resolve at specific times each year.

According to the APA, a person may be able to alleviate SAD symptoms by increasing their exposure to sunlight. For example, going for long walks when there is still some sunlight could help.

Treating SAD usually involves medication, therapy, and lightbox therapy.

Lifestyle adjustments can also help reduce the impact of SAD.

Psychotherapy

Although SAD seems to occur due to changes in brain chemistry, therapy that focuses on mood and behavior can also help. The APA suggest that this type of therapy may have a longer lasting benefit than taking medications or using a lightbox to manage mood.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can help people monitor and control their reactions to certain situations and environments more successfully. If a person can alter the way they perceive events, their behavior will also change with time.

This may help reduce the severity of their symptoms during the season in which the effects of SAD peak.

A course of CBT usually includes an individual program of thought and breathing exercises to help a person identify and moderate negative feelings.

People can attend group or partner sessions of CBT. Such sessions provide support and advice to those who live with people with SAD.

Medication

A healthcare provider may prescribe an antidepressant, usually a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor. This type of medication increases serotonin levels.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have now approved bupropion (Wellbutrin XL) for specific use by people who have SAD.

People should always follow their doctor's instruction when taking these drugs and check the prescribing information for side effects and potential risks.
In this article, learn more about antidepressants.
Bright light therapy

If a person's symptoms are severe enough to impact daily function, a doctor may recommend bright light therapy.

Also known as phototherapy, this intervention can help restore a person's circadian rhythms.

In bright light therapy, a person sits in front of a specialized lightbox for a set amount of time every day between early fall and spring. Ultraviolet lamps, full spectrum lights, and tanning lamps will not have the same effect for people with SAD.

The NIMH recommend engaging in lightbox exposure as soon as possible after waking up.

In general, people should receive light therapy for 20-60 minutes per day, depending on the strength of the light.

Lifestyle choices

Some people with SAD find that increasing their exposure to natural sunlight can help alleviate symptoms. Examples include opening blinds and curtains, trimming trees around the house, and sitting closer to the window during the daytime.

Getting outside every day for a long spell in the open air may help, as might staying social and active. The seasonal nature of SAD means that planning activities ahead of the season can help reduce its impact on everyday life.

Similarly, maintaining regular exercise and a balanced, nutritious diet are great for overall health. They might also help a person alleviate symptoms of anxiety and support a more regular sleep cycle.

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Seasonal affective disorder (SAD): Symptoms, causes, and treatment

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Seasonal affective disorder causes a person to feel low during a particular season of the year. It is now more commonly known as major depressive disorder with seasonal pattern. Symptoms are similar to those of depression, stress, and anxiety. Learn more here.

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Watch this video to learn how to catch a reader's attention when writing an essay.

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10 Facts about the planet

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Here's a Mr. Sato video to explain what you need to know about setting in literature.

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An actual photo of Venus taken in 1981 from the Soviet (Russia) probes Venera 13 and 14.