SAD

[sabethea]

Hello folks, is there anyone who can recommend a light box for dealing with SAD? I tend to be physically and mentally worse in the winter and could really do with trying anything which might help. The temptation just to buy the cheapest thing is strong, but if it wouldn't work, then it's a pointless waste of money...

Comments

[lilacsigil]

Some hospitals and assisted living shops have rental options - some people find full-spectrum daylight better and some people find blue light better, so maybe that would be a good option?

[sabethea]

Thanks. My dilemma is that I'm not really well enough to go and visit places at the moment, but it's a good point about the different sorts.

[rhodielady_47]

If you can find them, you might try replacing all of your current light bulbs with REVEAL light bulbs

[sabethea]

Ooh, I shall go and google REVEAL lightbulbs, thank you!

I sleep in pretty night-like darkness as I always wear eye-pads. The others are interesting things to consider, thanks.

[rhodielady_47]

I was always taught that sometimes it isn't any one MAJOR thing that's wrong with your health. Sometimes it's lots of little things attacking you together--that you could deal with if each of them occurred alone!--that cause you to get sick in mind or body.

Maybe it sounds like I'm trying to turn a mouse into an elephant here BUT....
So much of what I'm suggesting that you try is simple, easy to do stuff.
Like making sure you're getting enough good quality sleep in a dark room and then getting enough broad spectrum or "natural" light during the day.
Too much stress can cause depression as well.
Best of luck--
:^}

[kaberett]

I use the 6400K bulbs from Green Lamp Ltd - they're about a tenner and they really help me.

[sabethea]

Oh, excellent, thanks.

[nakedfaery]

Quinn had one a few years ago. I'll have to ask where he got it from. They have to be over a certain amount of Lumen (I think that's the measurement used) to be effective. The cheaper ones often aren't bright enough.

[sabethea]

Lux, I think is the measurement. Thakns - did it help Q?

[snippetchick]

If I had a choice, I'd get the re-timer. Here's a link: http://re-timer.com/

It's portable, sufficiently strong and targets the light, which means you can go about your day to day business much more easier than sitting in front of a traditional light box.

I like the portability and strong research foundation behind it.

Just as a caveat, the guy who invented this (Leon Lack) was my sleep professor at university. He's a world leader in sleep research with a huge interest in circadian rhythm issues. I have boundless respect for the guy. But because I do know him, I may be biased.