would you benefit from a SAD lightbox?

If you answer yes to any of the following questions, then yes, you would.

Spend all day in artificial light.
Suffer from winter blues
Often travel long haul
Work shifts
Suffer from food cravings, especially for carbohydrates and sweet stuff.
Experience energy dips in the afternoon.

Depression, feelings of gloom and despondency for no apparent reason.
Lethargy, lack of energy.
Anxiety, inability to cope.
Social problems, irritability, not wanting to see people.
Sleep difficulties; disturbed nights, finding it hard to stay awake during the day.
Loss of libido, lack of interest in sex or physical contact.
Craving for carbohydrates and sweet foods, increased appetite leading to weight gain.

SAD has a lot in common with the hibernation cycle of animals and research has shown that this is triggered by a response to decreasing light levels. As the days grow shorter and the light becomes less intense, the desire to 'hibernate' increases.

Light intensity is measured in 'lux', the Latin word for light. On a summer's day at our latitude we may have up to 16 hours of daylight at 100,000 lux. In winter, an 8 hour, dull day will provide less than 5,000 lux, and indoor lighting rarely exceeds 500 lux.

Historically, treatment for depression involved the use of drugs. However, in recent years research in the USA and UK showed that SAD sufferers responded, often quite dramatically, to Bright Light Treatment. These proven lightboxes have been specifically designed and are a recognised method of alleviating S.A.D.

Lack of light causes an increase in the production of Melatonin (the hormone that makes us sleepy at night), and a reduction of Serotonin, the lack of which causes depression. Exposure to bright light therapy reverses the process, with the additional benefit of being drug free.

You should start to feel the benefit within 7-14 days of using a lightbox.

By providing summertime levels of light during the winter, it becomes possible to successfully alleviate the symptoms of SAD, enabling former sufferers to beat the Winter Blues and lead a normal, happier life.

In fact almost everyone can benefit from the increased energy levels experienced when using a lightbox.

INTENSITY OF LIGHT
To be effective, the light you receive must have the right intensity. The intensity of a light box is measured in lux (the Latin word for light). This is a measure of the amount of light you receive at a specific distance from a light source. Light boxes for light therapy usually produce between 2,500 lux and 10,000 lux. Typical therapy is at 10,000 lux. In contrast, the lighting in an average living room in the evening is less than 100 lux, while a bright sunny day may register 100,000 lux.

All the models we sell emit 10,000 lux.

TIMING
For most people, light therapy is best used in the morning, after you first wake up. There's a short period of time after waking when your body clock can essentially be reset by light therapy. Normally you would not use the lightbox in the evening within 4 hours of bedtime.

Light therapy should be taken as early as possible when you get up, to keep you going through the day.

The most important thing is to be realistic about the amount of time you want to use the lightbox, either 20 minutes, 30 minutes or 60+ minutes and choose one accordingly.

If you can use your lightbox on your desk during the day, then the LitePod is an ideal model.

Or if you are at home for longer periods during the day, then a lamp that you can use for longer, such as the LitePod is just as effective.

But if you have to get out of the house in a rush then you need one with more lights that will give a quicker treatment time. These are more expensive, but it is important to choose a lamp that fits in with the way you live. (If you would like advice on which model to choose, do give us a call.)

Obviously if you are travelling then the LitePod is your best choice.