Did you know that you are "paid" to live in Alaska?

I think it is dark there for 3 months or so all the time. I can't imagine that. I'd be tired most of the time. I would think that depression would be common there because of that. Or at least Seasonal Affective Disorder.

It's typically 61 days and yes depression is very common there. There was an article a few weeks ago about Sarah Palin having a tanning bed in the governor's mansion to get the health benefits of sunlight during the dark months. Tanning beds also help to prevent the depression associated with lack of sunlight.

It's true, lack of sunlight causes depression. It's called Seasonal Affective Disorder. The site is at http://serendip.brynmawr.edu/biology/b103/f00/web3/dyar3.html A few lines about it: Seasonal Affective Disorder was recognized as a form of depression less than twenty years ago. Before it was just assumed that the person suffering from it was especially irritable and just needed an "attitude adjustment." Sometimes a disorder is not diagnosed as a medical condition because it is not clearly understood. Fortunately, most types of depression have finally been extensively researched, now defined as medical conditions and treated as serious illnesses should be. An individual can judge the best path to recovery only if he or she has knowledge of the wide range of existing treatments. Depression is one of many typical ailments in life, yet another way in which our bodies let us know that there is a situation that needs to be attended to. Education is a positive step toward the light of hope and happiness in life and it is important that people learn about the condition and its treatments. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seasonal_affective_disorder Seasonal affective disorder (SAD), also known as emothianl winter, is a mood disorder in which people who have normal mental health throughout most of the year experience depressive symptoms in the winter or, less frequently, in the summer[1], repeatedly, year after year. The US National Library of Medicine notes that "some people experience a serious mood change when the seasons change. They may sleep too much, have little energy, and crave sweets and starchy foods. They may also feel depressed. Though symptoms can be severe, they usually clear up."[2] The condition in the summer is often referred to as Reverse Seasonal Affective Disorder, and can also include heightened anxiety.[3] There are many different treatments for classic (winter-based) seasonal affective disorder, including light therapies with bright lights, anti-depression medication, ionized-air reception, cognitive-behavioral therapy and carefully-timed supplementation of the hormone melatonin. There are many different treatments for classic (winter-based) seasonal affective disorder, including light therapies, medication, ionized-air reception, cognitive-behavioral therapy and carefully timed supplementation of the hormone melatonin. Bright light treatment is common although up to 69% of patients find it inconvenient and as many as 19% of patients stop use because of this.[5] A specially designed lamp, many times brighter than normal indoor lighting, is placed near the sufferer, and has proven to be effective at doses of 2500 - 10,000 lux.[10] Most treatments use 30-60 minute treatments, however this varies depending on the situation. The sufferer sits a prescribed distance, commonly 30-60 cm, in front of the box with her/his eyes open but not staring at the light source.[5] Many patients use the light box in the morning, however it has not been proven any more effective than any other time of day.[10] Discovering the best schedule is essential. Dawn simulation has also proven to be effective; in some studies, there is an 83% better response when compared to other bright light therapy.[5] When compared in a study to negative air ionization, bright light was proven to be 57.1% effective vs. dawn simulation, 49.5%.[14] Patients using light therapy can experience improvement during the first week, but increased results are evident when continued throughout several weeks.[5] Most studies found it effective without use year round, but rather as a seasonal treatment lasting for several weeks until frequent light exposure is naturally obtained.[4] SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor) antidepressants have proven effective in treating SAD. Bupropion is also effective as a prophylactic.[6] Effective antidepressants are fluoxetine, sertraline, or paroxetine.[4][15] Both fluoxetine and light therapy are 67% effective in treating SAD according to direct head-to-head trials.[4] Negative air ionization, involving the release of charged particles into the sleep environment, has also been found effective with a 47.9% improvement.[14] Depending upon the patient, one treatment (ie. lightbox) may be used in conjunction with another therapy (ie. medication).[4] Modafinil may be also an effective and well-tolerated treatment in patients with seasonal affective disorder/winter depression [16] Treatment: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seasonal_affective_disorder Alfred J. Lewy of Oregon Health and Science University in Portland, OHSU, and others see the cause of SAD as a misalignment of the sleep-wake phase contra the period of the body clock, circadian rhythms out of synch, and treat it with melatonin in the afternoon. Correctly timed melatonin administration shifts the rhythms of several hormones en bloc.[17]

LOL That's probably true if it's very hot where you live. Take care.

I know where I live we should be given dividends for putting up with the heat & wind!

The view is unbelieveable. You cannot imagine unless you have seen it for yourself. Pictures, no matter how good, don't do it justice. My cousin says they don't really get a lot more snow than we do here in Iowa, but the snow falls straight down so they don't have the drifting. She also says they don't have the problems with ice storms like we do.

The distance from family would be a big barrier. I think every state/city has something negative that you have to deal with. The Alaskans just deal with the snow & cold weather because that's the way it is. Where I am it's the summer heat & wind & the tornado threats. There is something everywhere. I probably would fall in love with the scenery there. It looks spectacular.

While I love to see the snow, I'm not much for cold weather. But the wildlife & the scenery would do it for me. You make it sound absolutely spectacular!

Alaska looks to be a very beautiful state. I wonder if it is hard to find work there? Whatever you do, good luck!

/agreed Well, I don't know if the state pays the military, but the military has was is called Cost Of Living Allowance, that I *think* they pay in Alaska (I know they pay in Hawaii and when you leave the US). It isn't much though. As far as I know it is only for the enlisted person and like $5-$6 a day (I am sure it goes up with rank) So that's $150 extra or so a month. You do get more for housing when you go up to Alaska too. I think that starts out at like $1600 and goes through $3K a month. Of course when you are only making like $1500 a month after taxes you NEED the housing allowance! When my ex husband was in the Army he was an E4 with 7 years in and he figured that with the number of hours he actually worked, he made pennies on the dollar.

My nephew was stationed there for a brief period of time. I don't know if they get paid any better there. The military folks should get paid 10 times what they get now in my opinion.

Put the heat sensitivity down to my thyroid! Your collie picture delights others as well! I am sorry for your loss, trouble with animals they become part of the family and you get so attached to them. It's like losing a family member.

I like warm weather in alaska in summer time. its up north of me gets up to 90f degrees. I live in southeast alaska where summers are only in the 70's F degrees. I hate it. I'm hoping to move to Anchorage where its warmer in the summers. the only down side I see living there again is freezing winters. I'll have to dress warmer then I do here. It only gets 20's and up most of the time down here in southeast, Ak. I am in capital of Alaska called Juneau,AK.

I'm with you, I can't stand the heat & yet I live in Texas! You go where the jobs are I guess. Still, for it to be as cold as it is in Alaska & for such a long time - I don't know if I could handle it. You do what you have to! Thanks for the previous post about the collie avatars. Unfortunately, my collie passed on unexpectedly last year. He was a wonderful companion & I miss him dearly. I love to see his picture every time I'm on My Lot!

You could golf maybe 3 months out of the year in Alaska I'm guessing. You must get enough cold weather up there in Ontario. I also have fibromyalgia, albiet quite mild but it's still no fun. There's just no way I could deal with really cold weather - it's tough on anyone! True, if it balances out financially because the cost of living is so high, what's the incentive?

I am a Alaskan and I can tell you we don't get paid that money yearly because of some governor. If you looked on line about the history of why and where the Permenant dividend Fund started. you'd learn a lot. Read into it if your interested otherwise quit making assumptions why we get paid.

i like it!

I guess I'm a pain in the neck - I don't like the heat or the cold! Give me something in between! I'm not sure how they pay you but I think you get paid yearly, probably with tax returns or something. Sure looks like a beautiful state.

Gosh, I don't know if England has something like that or not. Would it be just for the British peoples or Americans/immigrants to the country? I'd have the heat up all the time in Alaska. I just cannot imagine.

It's true. I think the state is rich because of oil & not very populated at all. I'm sure they are trying to lure people to live there with this incentive.

I believe it's quite cold in Alaska & they get lots of snow. Also it stays dark 24/7 for some time (I think a previous poster said 61 days). It would be tough to handle. Looks beautiful though.

I never even considered that you have more freedoms in the beautiful state of Alaska. That sounds pretty good. I'm glad that you enjoy living there. I would really like to visit the state someday.

The remoteness would be tough to handle. I don't think many family members would visit us up there! But they don't visit us in our little hamlet in Texas either.

This money is paid on a yearly basis. It would be nice, wouldn't it?

My daughter is 12 years old & thinks it would be way cool to live in London. I'd love to visit but it's a long way from home! I think you do get used to putting up with what others would find unimaginable.