Beating the winter blues with light therapy. This video by Dr Clive Spiegel, a professor of Psychiatry, is a great resource if you want to learn more about the ‘Winter Blues’ and ‘Seasonal Affective Disorder’. Whilst most people associate Seasonal Affective Disorder with Winter, you may be surprised to know that you can also suffer during the Summer months with symptoms such as insomnia.
Colour Therapy For Seasonal Affective Disorder
September 30, 2010 By
Interview on colour therapy for Seasonal Affective Disorder with Dr Christina Davis. If you suffer with depression, anxiety or mood changes then this is very insightful.
Light therapy for seasonal affective disorder
June 3, 2010 By
If you are looking for a Light Therapy For Seasonal Affective Disorder then you have come to the right place. If you want to see our favourites straight away, then here are our top buys from the US and UK (all international shipping):
>>>>Find out more about Philips goLITE BLU Energy Light (US only)
>>>>Find out more about Philips HF3330 goLITE BLU Energy Light (UK only)
>>>>See more about Philips HF3463 Wake-Up Light With Radio Alarm (UK only)
I have personally suffered from Seasonal Affective Disorder, mostly during the Winter months but also on dreary summer days where the skies are grey and dim. After buying my very first SAD light Winter 2009. I was so pleased with the results that I decided to create a review site for shoppers like me and you who want to make the right decision on this fairly expensive piece of equipment.
A question that you may be asking is ‘does SAD light therapy really work, or am I just wasting my time and money?’ I can undoubtedly tell you that it does change the chemical balance in the brain and body, lifting your mood and your energy levels, as well as having a calming effect and giving you that sense of wellbeing.
I have been struggling with Winter Depression for most of my life, and it is no joke – it is a disabling condition that affects work, relationships and self confidence. It had been suggested to me on numerous occassions that I should give light therapy a go.
I was then probably in the same boat as you, thinking that it just wouldn’t work, and that it would be an inconvenience to use. The only reason that I decided to give it a go was because I was going through a particularly bad time, and I happened across a Philips lightbox on sale in my local pharmacy.
I have now realised all of the benefits, and I want to share them with you.
Firstly, one myth that was expelled for me was that in order for this therapy to work you would have to sit in front of the lamp for at least one hour per day, staring into the light and not getting anything else fun or useful done.
This is not true. With the Philips Golite you can use the light bath for as little as 15 minutes a day. You also do not have to look at the sad lamp directly, you can get on with your usual routine; reading the newspaper or eating breakfast.
The second myth is that all light boxes are large, clunky, and difficult to transport around the home.
This is also not true. My first lightbox was an older model, so it is rather large, but the new Philips golites are small, neat, and fold flat, so it can be carried anywhere around the home or to work. I personally always use mine in the office by the side of my computer.
The golite is great because it has an extremely wide field of light, so you get all the benefits of a full spectrum light in a smaller model.
Thirdly, I thought that light boxes were only used by people with acute or chronic mental health problems. This is also not true.
I know many people, including members of the Sad Light Box Review Team who use them at work and at home for sunlight energy boosts when the sun is nowhere to be seen.
But don’t just take my word for it – here is a selection of fabulous reviews that we found on the Philips goLITE BLU:
“My doctor recommended me this product which piqued my interest and I eventually found this product here on Amazon (Apollo was the company that makes these products, but Philips bought them over). Immediately after a few sessions, I found that I was waking up at 5-6 AM NATURALLY and going to bed at 9-10 PM PHYSICALLY/EYELID HEAVY SLEEPY. I also felt happier too and the reason why this happens is that the blue light increases the production of SERATONIN (the happy go-lucky hormone that is low in depression, etc).”
Michael Bluth, Vermont, January 2009
“So it’s been 9 days since I started using the goLITE and there has been one big change that was worth noting. I have always been someone to sleep a lot. On the weekends it was not unusual for me to sleep 10-12 hours straight. In the short time I have been using this I have been waking up every morning after only 6-8 hours of sleep feeling awake and alert, even when I tried to go back to sleep this weekend I was not able to. I am left to believe that this unit is helping regulate my body clock which is something I have been unable to do for 15 years.”
Julie, Seattle, WA
>>>>Find out more about Philips goLITE BLU Energy Light (US only)
>>>>Find out more about Philips HF3330 goLITE BLU Energy Light (UK only)
>>>>See more about Philips HF3463 Wake-Up Light With Radio Alarm (UK only)
More Light Therapy For Seasonal Depression Tips
If you are someone who struggles to get up in the morning at the best of times, and you often suffer from winter depression or summer seasonal affective disorder, then I thoroughly recommend that you purchase the Philips HF3463 Wake-Up Light With Radio Alarm.
This SAD alarm clock acts as a dawn simulator, with settings to wake you up gently over a half an hour period, with features such as relaxing morning sounds. This will help to banish chronic fatigue and promote the happy hormones – serotonin.
Blogs and Resource Websites
Bipolar – Seasonal Affective Disorder
Antidepressants are often used in combination with psychotherapy, especially for talk therapy or behavioral therapy therapy.The the most effective way to combat seasonal affective disorder with light.
Seasonal Affective Disorder
What is light therapy? Light therapy is a relatively new therapy used for patients who have seasonal affective disorder.
Major Depression Disorder
Light therapy, once considered questionable, now has become established as a proven treatment for SAD – Seasonal Affective Disorder. Other natural treatments, however, haven’t enjoyed as good a track record.
Light Therapy for Seasonal Affective Disorder
Exploring the usage of a Light Box to provide light therapy for sufferers of Seasonal Affective Disorder.
The Causes And Symptoms Of Depression
Seasonal affective disorder. Depression can occur in cold and dark periods of the year and go away in warm and light periods. Light stimulates brain activity, and lack of light is a causative factor.
White Light Therapy Tips
May 19, 2010 By
If you are looking for white light therapy treatment, or you want some white light treatment advice, then you have come to the right place. The Sad Light Box Review team have sourced and tested a range of light therapy products to find you the best ones at great prices. If you are in a hurry, here are the links to our favourites:
>>>>Go to Day Light Lux Wellness Light (UK only) (Lower Budget)
>>>>Go to UpLift Day Light Natural Light Lamp (US and Canada)
White light therapy is essentially the same as other terms such as blue light therapy or full spectrum light therapy.
White light therapy light boxes all have a LUX rating added to thier product description, usually from 5000 to 10000 Lux. Lux ratings represent each unit of illuminance and luminous emittance, i.e 1 lux is one unit or candle of light.
When shopping for a credible white light therapy device, you should always choose lightboxes that have 10,000 Lux. The ‘weaker’ S.A.D. light boxes at 5000 have been medically proven to not be entirely beneficial the the user, unless the individual is happy to sit in front of the light box for up to 2 hours per day. Obviously for most people this would simply be impractical.
The perfect part of modern day lightboxes is that you usually only have to use them for a maximum of 30 minutes per day, and in some cases as little as 15 minutes. Both winning white light therapy products above work fast to lift the mood and restore balance back cardacian rhythms (body clock).
The new UpLift Day Light Natural Light Lamp from ComfortChannel is a superb multifunctional model. It can be used with its stand to sit on your table top or desk, or it comes with brackets for wall mounting. The stand is great because it allows full adjustability so that you can get the angle of the light right for your eyes and seating position.
The UpLift Day Light Natural Light Lamp is fairly large, so you can be sure that the surface area of light will be absorbed fully by your eyes no matter how you are sitting or what you are doing. Don’t worry though, this lamp is extremely light and has been designed to be portable.
The best part about the Uplift is that it can be adjusted from 10000 Lux to 7000 Lux to suit your purposes. This is a unique feature that is not in most sad lamps, and is great if you are using the lamp in the latter half of the day when you want a slightly dimmer light therapy bath.
The Uplift has a 5 year Warranty, so you don’t have to worry about the Sad lamps longevity.
In the UK, the winning lightbox is the Day light Lux Wellness Light. This product is simple, and does what it says on the tin so to speak.
It has 10000 Lux output, and is also multifunctional in that it can be mounted on the wall or used on the desk top with its fully adjustable frame so you can get the angle just right.
The Sad Light Box Review team think this is a winner because it is extremely affordable, it has the right Lux output for optimum white light treatment, and it also light weight and portable. But don’t just take our words for it. Here is a great review (one of many) that we found on this super little light:
“I purchased this lamp as I work from home and during the winter months seldom get out during daylight hours. Delivery was good, packaged well and the lamp provides really bright light which has transformed my working conditions. I use contact lenses and find that my ability to read small print has improved dramatically. I keep this on all day from when I first sit by my PC till when I go to bed at night. A great buy!”
Elizabeth Smith, Yorkshire, 18 Feb 2010
>>>>Go to Day Light Lux Wellness Light (UK only) (Lower Budget)
>>>>Go to UpLift Day Light Natural Light Lamp (US and Canada)
Extra White Light Therapy Tips
It is usually advisable to start white light therapy as early as September until late spring (approximately 6 months) If you suffer from Winter Blues (SAD). This will help to reset the body clock on a daily basis.
A light box is also brilliant if you work in an office or studio that has limited or no natural light source. White light therapy will improve vision, concentration and overall work performance.
It is best to use the light box in an uninterrupted block of time, i.e. not when you are likely to be away from your desk or seat alot.
From The Blogosphere
Light Therapy
I’ve always been concerned that my room is slightly poorly lit with only one standing lamp for light. I have white ceiling lights but I don’t like white light so I don’t use them except when I want to clean.
A closer look at light therapy
See the Light: A closer look at light therapy and hundreds of other skin care and beauty articles at DERMAdoctor.com. Free Samples with every order.
Light Therapy for Finding Energy
Philips LivingColors LED Mood Light, Mini, Glossy White. Philips SpotOn LED Light, White, One-Pack. Philips SpotOn LED Light, Gold, One-Pack.
Philips goLITE BLU Light Therapy Device
These melanopsin photoreceptors absorb light of a specific wavelength and that is BLUE (460-480 nm). Older light boxes used white light (which contained blue light) that mimicked light from the sun, but apparently those are superbright.
Seasonal Affective Disorder Light Therapy
April 16, 2010 By
If you are looking for Seasonal Affective Disorder Light Therapy Information and product reviews then you have come to the right place. If you are pressed for time, may I suggest a few of our best light therapy boxes found at great prices:
>>>>Find out more about Philips goLITE BLU Energy Light (US only)
>>>>Find out more about Philips goLITE BLU Energy Light (UK only)
>>>>Go to UpLift Day Light Natural Light Lamp (US and Canada)
>>>>See more about Philips HF3463 Wake-Up Light With Radio Alarm (UK only)
>>>>Go to SAD Light 10,000 High LUX Lamp (UK only)
Amazon seems to be a winner here. They have come out as the cheapest distributers of big brand lightboxes. And we know that they can be trusted. Thanks Amazon!
S.A.D. can be triggered by many factors, including frequent travel to different time zones, shift work, and of course long long winters. Light therapy sounds like a good idea, but if you are like me you will be feeling skeptical as to whether it really works. Sad light treatment – is it really true, or just a weird hippy inspired technological fad?
The Sad Light Box Review team selected a panel of volunteers earlier this year who suffer from many health complaints from insomnia, depression and anxiety, to chronic fatigue amongst others conditions. I was also personally on the panel myself as I have a history of depression and generalised anxiety disorder.
The results were conclusive – the best light therapy boxes are from Philips. Not only are they a long standing reputable company that can definitely be trusted, they are also lighting specialists that have been developing light boxes for over 20 years.
This means that you are entitled to a long term warranty so that you can be happy with your product for many years safe in the knowledge that Philips will repair any faults.
You will also notice a few other suggested lights for S.A.D. above that come in as close runners up. All of our top 5 Seasonal Affective Disorder lights use long life blue light technology so that you wont have to outlay money for expensive bulbs soon after your purchase. Many of the other light boxes that we considered use cheaper materials and bulbs which only have a lifespan of approximately one year with regular use of the light.
The Philips SAD light box is brilliant in our opinion as it ticks all of the boxes for us.
Firstly, it is compact and stylish, so it will fit on any desk or table without taking up lots of space or looking like an eye-sore. The compact design also means that you can take it with you anywhere – to work, on a holiday or business trip, and of course for use in the home.
The Philips SAD light box is small, but radiates a wider field of light than other lightboxes of this size. This means that you can engage in other pastimes or work whilst sitting in front of the goLITE, with no need to sit closely and stare at the light.
The other box that the goLITE ticked for us was that there is a treatment reminder alarm, and you can use the light as a gentle wakeup light therapy alarm clock. This is perfect as it is important that you don’t over expose yourself to light treatment.
The goLITE is a one of a kind. It is slightly more expensive than other sad lightboxes, but the quality and cost efficiency in the long term makes it worth it. The goLITE won’t break the bank, and of course your health doesn’t have a price tag on it.
Do take a look at all of the products above. If there is anything lacking, or you need more information on any light box reviews, leave a comment below and I would be happy to help.
>>>>Find out more about Philips goLITE BLU Energy Light (US only)
>>>>Find out more about Philips goLITE BLU Energy Light (UK only)
>>>>Go to UpLift Day Light Natural Light Lamp (US and Canada)
>>>>See more about Philips HF3463 Wake-Up Light With Radio Alarm (UK only)
>>>>Go to SAD Light 10,000 High LUX Lamp (UK only)
Additional Seasonal Affective Disorder Light Therapy Tips And Tactics
Of course when choosing a sad light box, you will know that price is an issue. Light boxes are expensive items, so it is vital that you get the right one, otherwise you will have wasted alot of your hard earned cash.
Try to choose a sad lamp that has approx 10000 lux brightness range (lux means lighting levels). The lower lux products are of course cheaper, but you will be compromising on the benefits of light therapy treatment.
When choosing sad lighting, think about the practicality of using and transporting your light. Ask yourself the questions of ‘do you have enough space?’ ‘where will you be using the light?’ and so on. If you plan to travel with your light, make sure that it is compact enough to pop into your suitcase or into your hand luggage.
From The Blogosphere
Skin Care: Seasonal Affective Disorder Ruin You
Furthermore SAD symptoms can be remedied with out the use of prescription drugs for the most part.
Light therapy for SAD box, depression, bipolar disorders and sleep problems
Bright light therapy box for SAD, depression, bipolar disorder and sleep problems Alaska Northern Lights manufactures a bright light therapy box that aids in.
Light Therapy for Seasonal Affective Disorder
Exploring the usage of a Light Box to provide light therapy for sufferers of Seasonal Affective Disorder.
Review – Coping With Seasonal Affective Disorder
Exploring Fiona Marshall and Peter Cheever’s comprehensive guide to understanding how to cope with Seasonal Affective Disorder and the role of light therapy in treatment.
Seasonal Affective Disorder Treatment Options
Clearly, there are several main alternatives to just using light therapy in the treatment of seasonal affective disorder.
Jodie Lawton
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