How to choose a SAD lamp
- Safety. Don’t get a light box that’s designed to treat skin conditions. These devices aren’t meant to treat mood...
- Specs. The lamp should generate 10,000 lux of cool-white, fluorescent light. An output of 10,000 lux is approximately 20...
- Size. Look for a lamp with a light surface area of around 12 by 15 inches. The larger the surface area, the...
What is the best sad light therapy?
Some of us also suffer from a more severe variety called seasonal affective disorder—a depression caused by ... in between are all the familiar colours of visible light. Research into light therapy has been taking place for more than a century.
What is the best light bulb for Sad?
Best light therapy lamp overall: Happy Light Luxe by Verilux ($69.99; amazon.com or walmart.com) Dana Holmes/CNN. Happy Light Luxe by Verilux. Hands down our favorite SAD lamp, this light has it ...
What are the best sad lamps?
How does a SAD lamp help?
- Beurer TL100 Brightlight. Big, bright and packed with features, the Beurer TL100 Brightlight is our favourite sun lamp on the market.
- Lumie Vitamin L SAD & Energy Light. ...
- Lumie Sunrise Alarm. ...
- Beurer TL30 SAD Lamp. ...
- Norrlands Ljus Beer Cooler With Light. ...
- LifeLight SAD Therapy Lamp. ...
What is the best sad lamp?
- Best Light Therapy Lamp Overall: Verilux HappyLight Luxe LED Lamp
- Best Light Therapy Lamp For Your Desk: Beurer Light Lamp
- Best Light Therapy Lamp According To Most Doctors: Northern Light Technologies Boxelite-OS 10,000 Lux Bright Light Therapy Light Box
- Best Compact Light Therapy Lamp: Circadian Optics Light Therapy Lamp
What type of light is best for SAD?
The most important thing to look for in a SAD lamp is the correct amount of light intensity. Every expert agrees on this point: To trigger the brain to release serotonin, a true SAD lamp must have a brightness level of at least 10,000 lux of white light.
What LED light color should I use when im SAD?
For this reason, yellow light has been clinically used to treat depression and Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). You might try switching your LED lights to a yellow hue during the dark winter months and when you feel down.
How do I choose a therapy light?
A good light therapy lamp should suit your space, offer 10,000 lux of light exposure,5 and make it easy to adjust brightness when needed. To find the best light therapy lamps, we tested 15 top-rated options at home, performing five-day tests to find the eight best lamps.
What kind of light is needed for light therapy?
A light therapy box mimics outdoor light. It's thought that this type of light may cause a chemical change in the brain that lifts your mood and eases other symptoms of SAD , such as being tired most of the time and sleeping too much. Generally, the light box should: Provide an exposure to 10,000 lux of light.
Is blue or white light better for SAD?
Narrow-band blue light is as effective as bright white-light for the treatment of seasonal affective disorder (SAD), according to a recent study published online ahead of print in the Journal of Affective Disorders. Blue light may be just as effective as white light in patients with seasonal affective disorder.
What color is best for sadness?
Sad colors are colors that are dark and muted. Grey is the quintessential sad color, but dark and muted cool colors like blue, green or neutrals like brown or beige can have a similar effect on feelings and emotions depending on how they're used.
Do you get vitamin D from SAD lamp?
People commonly use sun lamps, also known as SAD lamps, to treat a form of depression called seasonal affective disorder (SAD). These lamps can also help a person's body make vitamin D, which helps ensure specific body functions run smoothly.
How much lux do I need for light therapy?
Light Therapy Research Bright light treatment requires a minimum of 2,500 lux to be effective, and the brightness recommended by researchers and clinicians for most people is 10,000 lux – an amount significantly higher than standard indoor lighting.
Do full spectrum lights work for SAD?
Full spectrum bright fluorescent light that simulates the wavelengths of natural daylight is the most effective light therapy for certain types of depression.
What color temperature is best for light therapy?
between 5000-6500KA light therapy box provides striking, bright white light using fluorescent or LED light in a color temperature between 5000-6500K, which is consistent with the color temperature of the sun at noon.
Are LED lights good for light therapy?
Research suggests that LED light therapy can help reduce and improve some skin conditions and issues. To see improvement in your skin, though, you need to have regular treatments. In-office LED light therapy uses more powerful strengths than at-home devices, which makes it more effective.
What LED color helps with crying?
You can try a warm white LED light strip, which has the effect of soothing emotions; furthermore, there is a cool white light, which is brighter than warm white, and can also make people's mental energy more focused.
Can you use LED lights for SAD?
So, does LED light therapy help with SAD? Recent studies have shown that high-quality LED lighting can help treat Seasonal Affective Disorder. The best LED light box for SAD treatment should be safe and have the right color temperature to make you feel better in just a few days.
Are LED lights good for SAD?
In order to help keep the depression at bay, a daily or even weekly application of LED-based light for about a half an hour has been proven to mitigate S.A.D. There are a couple of reasons that explain why LED lights are used to reduce seasonal depression.
What each LED light color means?
Yellow LED Light Color: Happiness, Warmth, Friendly, Stimulus, Caution, Creativity, Energy. Orange LED Light Color: Success, Confidence, Vibrance, Innovation, Health, Cheerful. Red LED Light Color: Love, Strength, Energy, Passion, Anger, Urgency, Danger, Stimulating, Excitement.
Why do we use sad lamps?
SAD lamps simulate sunlight, which helps trigger the brain to release serotonin, often called the feel-good hormone. Studies. Trusted Source. show that using light therapy during periods when daylight hours are short can help adjust your circadian rhythm, the body’s process for regulating your sleep-wake cycle.
How do light boxes help with sad?
Light boxes — also referred to as SAD lamps — are another option that can reduce symptoms and provide relief. They work by replicating natural daylight.
How many lux does a lamp produce?
The lamp should generate 10,000 lux of cool-white fluorescent light. An output of 10,000 lux is approximately 20 times greater than the light output generated by most indoor lighting. Lamps with less lux may need to be used more often than brighter ones.
How many lux does a LED lamp have?
If you love the look of modern decor, this lamp may right for you. It features 10,000 lux of LED, UV-free, full-spectrum white light. It also boasts three brightness levels, so you can uptick or downtick the amount of light you receive. Many users prefer LED to fluorescent light because it lasts longer.
What is a light box for mood?
The takeaway. Major depressive disorder with seasonal pattern, previously known as seasonal affective disorder (SAD), is a condition caused by lowered exposure to sunlight or a change of seasons. Women and young adults are most affected by this condition. Using a SAD lamp, also known as a light box, can help alleviate symptoms, boosting your mood.
How to sleep better?
going to bed early and waking up at or near dawn. going outside for extended periods of time, especially first thing in the morning. avoiding substances that can adversely affect your ability to sleep, such as alcohol. eating whole, nutrient-rich foods.
Is a lampstand adjustable?
The lampstand is adjustable , so chances are it will be comfortable to use no matter your height or chair type. Users say the lampstand doesn’t wobble and that the lamp reaches full lumens quickly for maximum benefit.
How bright is the light?
The brightness, or intensity, of a light box is measured in lux. For SAD lights the typical recommendation is to use a 10,000 lux light box at a distance of 16 to 24 inches (41 to 61 centimetres) from your face. Brighter boxes will require less usage time each day compared to dimmer boxes.
How much time do you have?
Try and be practical about how much time you can allocate per day to using any SAD light you purchase. You will need to use it every day to see results. If you lead a busy life it might be worth spending a little more to get a quicker treatment.
How much UV light does it release?
Essentially you want a SAD light that emits as little UV light as possible. Light boxes used to treat sad should be designed to filter out most or all UV light. If you have any safety questions, contact the manufacturer.
Is the light specifically to treat SAD?
Some light therapy lamps are designed for skin disorders and not SAD. These lamps emit UV light mainly and will not only be ineffective when trying to treat SAD but could also damage your eyes if used incorrectly. Make sure any light you buy is specifically designed to treat SAD.
Is the SAD light convenient to use?
By this I mean can you put it in the right location? Think about where you want to put it and what you might be doing during your light therapy. Check the instructions to make sure you can place at the proper distance if you want to use it whilst you eat breakfast, read in bed, work at your computer, etc.
Is it a full spectrum light?
A full spectrum light covers all wavelengths from infrared to near-ultraviolet. Sunlight is full spectrum. You don’t need a SAD light that offers full spectrum light. Research has been conducted by the National Lighting Product Information Programme that shows no real benefits to full spectrum light.
What color should the light be?
More and more SAD lights are now being made that emit blue light. This is worth an article in its own right but essentially researchers have found that blue light at a lower intensity, can be just as effective as high intensity white light boxes.
How many lux does a light therapy lamp emit?
To do this, you need a lamp that emits about 10,000 lux of light, which is higher than the artificial light from your home's fixtures and other lamps.
How much time do you need to use a small light?
A smaller lamp needs to be closer to your face, and set so it's at your eye level. You might need to spend up to an hour each day using a small SAD light, but just half that with a larger lamp. As the Mayo Clinic notes, "The effectiveness of a light box depends on daily use, so buy one that's convenient for you.".
How big is a Carex light?
The Carex Day-light Classic Plus lamp is by far the largest lamp on this list, with a light panel that's 13.5 by 15.5 inches. While that's just barely bigger than the Boxelite, the lamp's larger stand makes it take up far more space, measuring 31.1 inches tall, 15.75 inches wide and a full foot deep.
How small is the Lumos light?
The only knock I have against the Lumos is that it has the smallest light panel out of all the lamps I tested, at just 1.37 by 6.25 inches. Again, consult with your doctor on how long you should use a therapy lamp each day -- with the smaller panel on this light, you might need to use it longer.
How big is a Luxe therapy lamp?
At 6 by 9 inches, the Luxe's light panel gets close to the recommended size without taking up too much space.
Can light therapy be used on a sunny day?
A light therapy session can mimic the experience of a sunny day -- minus the ultraviolet rays -- if only for a few minutes. I've tested and evaluated some of the most popular light therapy lamps on the market.
Can light therapy help with mood disorders?
Light therapy isn't for everyone, so it's important to check with your doctor before trying it. Only they can diagnose you with SAD, a mood disorder or depression and prescribe the correct treatment for you. This list was published in October and is updated periodically.
An Overview On Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
It’s not that uncommon to experience the winter blues and because of the depression-like symptoms, SAD tends to leave a larger impact on our daily lives if not addressed the right way.
Why Do You Feel SAD?
The causes why someone experiences SAD are mostly unknown and unclear, however, according to research, some common factors that can contribute to your seasonal affective disorder can include:
Do SAD Lamps Work?
According to the Seasonal Affective Disorder Association, light therapy lamps or SAD lamps can help ease the symptoms of the seasonal affective disorder by almost 80%. However, light therapy lamps are only a short-term solution. SAD lamps may help ease your symptoms but you might still feel depressed in the next season.
How Does SAD Lamps Help?
SAD lamps are designed to mimic the sunlight, so using these lamps can not only help you regulate your sleep cycle but can also help increase Vitamin D in your body. Keep in mind that SAD lamps might take a few days to work, so be patient.
Choosing The Right SAD Lamp
If you’ve decided to buy a SAD lamp, then you need to keep some things in mind before choosing one.
How is light intensity measured?
The intensity of light is measured using something called LUX. This is in accordance to how the human eye perceives the brightness of light. As an example, 50 lux is about the average intensity of home lighting and 350 lux is roughly the amount that you would expect in an office setting.
Is ultraviolet light bad for jet lag?
Ultra violet light is not an appropriate treatment solution for jet lag, depression or pains. Make sure that you read carefully and choose a therapy lamp that clearly states that it’s technology filters out UV light. This kind of light can be very harmful.
Is full spectrum light optional?
Although choosing a light box model that produces full spectrum light is purely optional, if you find a unit that looks promising and it offers full spectrum light – all the better.
What Is Light Therapy?
Bright light stimulates the cells in the retina that connect to the hypothalamus (part of the brain that helps control the body’s daily rhythms). 1
How Are Light Therapy Lamps Used to Treat Seasonal Affective Disorder?
SAD is a type of recurring major depression with a seasonal pattern. Some symptoms of SAD may include: 4
How to Choose a Light Therapy Lamp
Adjustable settings: Adjustable dimming and brightness settings allow for variety and versatility.
Frequently Asked Questions
The specified distance may vary depending on the device, but the typical distance is 12 to 24 inches. 5
A Word From Verywell
Light therapy is a recommended first-line treatment for SAD, with a documented history of helping improve symptoms.
What is light therapy?
Also known as phototherapy or bright light therapy, light therapy can be used to treat SAD and other conditions by using artificial light. To use light therapy, you need to sit or work near a light therapy box for about 30 minutes.
How to use light therapy
While there are light therapy options like dawn stimulators and natural spectrum light bulbs, using a light box (a flatscreen device that uses full-spectrum fluorescent light) is the most common in treating SAD.
