HOW LIGHT WORKS & HOW TO USE YOUR LIGHTBOX
Light therapy is increasingly being used to reset our body clocks - no matter how or why they've been put off track. Research shows that light therapy may have potential for the treatment of several other disorders in addition to that of SAD.
Light therapy offers a chance to regain a happier mood and brighter outlook without drugs.
how light works
1. Light enters the eye and travels down the retino-hypothalamic tract (RHT), a nerve which connects the retina in the eye with the suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN) in the hypothalamus.
2. The SCN resets the body clock and send the signal to the pineal gland.
3. The pineal gland then suppresses the production of night time melatonin (the hormone that makes you sleepy and lethargic), and allows the build up of other neuro-transmitters, (feel good hormones)
The suprachiasmatic nuclei is the 'body clock' that controls the sleep/wake cycle and all the hormone functions in the body. It uses the bright light in morning to reset these daily. When it does not receive the correct signal at the right time it fails to function properly.
The simple explanation is that the light goes in through the eye and travels into the brain. Here it works on the body clock and fools the brain into thinking that it still has summertime levels of light and reduces the melatonin (the hormone that makes you sleepy and lethargic) and allows for the increase in seratonin (the feel good hormone).
how to use the lightbox
1. Have the lightbox about an arms distance away and slightly to one side. or the LitePod will fit under your computer screen.
2. The light needs to go into the eye, so do not wear goggles or tinted glasses. Plain glasses or contact lenses are fine. Do not doze or sleep - you must be awake to take the treatment.
3. Do not look at the light all the time, just glance at it every now and then. You can carry on with your normal routine, reading and writing, have breakfast beside it etc. Or use when you are using your computer.
4. It is better to take your light treatment as early as possible during the day. but dont use the lightbox within 4 hours of bedtime as this may disturb your sleep.
5. Repeat daily.
when to use your lightbox
As early as possible when you get up in the morning. You can use it while you're getting dressed, having breakfast or making the children's school lunch boxes. Alternatively, you can use it on your desk for most of the day.
If you are about an arms distance away and the light can travel into your eye then the light will be working. You can also leave the lightbox on for longer should you wish to.
We recommend that you do not use a lightbox within 4 hours of bedtime as you need melatonin to build up towards bedtime to give you a good nights sleep.
N.B. You don't have to stare at the lightbox, just glance at it from time to time. your eye and the intensity of the light will do the rest
CombineEssences.com
