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Here are some tips for using light therapy: Get the right light. Your light box should have a 10,000 lux exposure. Avoid staring at the light. Keep the box just off to the side and about a foot away. Take your time. You should absorb light from your lamp for about a half hour a day. Start in the morning.
Can you use a SAD light too much?
Overuse of a SAD lamp can produce insomnia or other side effects. Follow manufacturer recommendations for position. Your lamp should come with recommendations for how close you should position yourself to it. This is very important, as your distance from it will affect the lamp’s lux capacity.
How long should I use a SAD lamp for each day?
Everybody is different, but 30-60 minutes will probably be enough for to feel the positive benefits of using the lamp. There’s no harm in using it for longer and you can even make up this time by dipping in throughout the day. If you find your eyes ache slightly, try using it further away or switch it off for a while.
When should I start using my SAD light?
Generally, most people with seasonal affective disorder begin treatment with light therapy in the early fall, when it typically becomes cloudy in many regions of the country. Treatment usually continues until spring, when outdoor light alone is sufficient to sustain a good mood and higher levels of energy.
How do you position a SAD lamp?
We recommend placing the light box at approximately 30 degrees from directly in front of you (see diagram below). Studies have shown that a more effective light treatment is gained from the light entering your eye at an angle in your peripheral vision.
Can you use SAD lamp at night?
Studies vary as to whether light therapy at other times of the day is less effective. But some people with SAD (perhaps those who wake up normally in the early morning) should do their light therapy for 1 to 2 hours in the evening, ending 1 hour before bedtime.
What are the side effects of light therapy?
The most common side effects of light therapy include: Eyestrain or visual disturbances. Headaches. Agitation or feeling “wired.” Nausea. Sweating.
Can you wear glasses with SAD lamp?
You receive adequate stimulation by concentrating on the work area below the screen — reading, eating, phoning, texting, working on your laptop, and so on. Wearing glasses is acceptable as long as they are not tinted. In other words, clear glass or plastic lenses are fine.
Do SAD lamps work for plants?
Growing seedlings or house plants with S.A.D. lights is very easy. And just as people need vitamin D to thrive, so do plants. It makes sense, therefore, that full-spectrum light bulbs–those used in light therapy to treat Season Affective Disorder–could be used to help plants grow.
Do SAD lights work for anxiety?
Bright light therapy can treat SAD, but you can also use a SAD light for anxiety. By stimulating the cells in your retina, you can help improve the communication between different parts of your brain.
How long should you use a happy light?
Dr. Saltz says light therapy is most effective in the morning, using a happy light for 10 to 15 minutes at a time, eventually increasing it to 30 minutes. You’ll want to position the light box one to two feet in front of your face.
Do SAD lamps produce vitamin D?
Even though it’s a light-based therapy, sun lamps don’t impact vitamin D production. Be sure to get your vitamin D through your diet and/or supplements as your doctor advises.
Can you overdo LED light therapy?
Light therapy cannot be overdone for most people. If you notice any extraordinary results, stop treatment, and contact your physician. For the best results, choose the right device style and LED color, and use it as directed.
Does light therapy work with eyes closed?
Can I get light therapy with my eyes closed? The positive effects of most light therapy studies have been done with the eyes open. The standard 10,000 lux for ½ hour session assumes your eyes are open.
Can SAD lamps damage eyes?
Most people can use light therapy safely. The recommended light boxes have filters that remove harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays, so there’s no risk of skin or eye damage for most people.
Which color light is good for sleep?
Warm light is better for sleep because the eyes are less sensitive to the longer wavelengths in warm light. Light bulbs with a yellow or red hue and are best for bedside lamps. Blue light, on the other hand, is the worst for sleep.
Do SAD lights help with sleep?
Light therapy is not considered a cure for insomnia, depression, or other conditions. However, it can be helpful in improving your energy levels and helping you fall asleep or wake up easier. It can take a few days to a few weeks21 to start to notice the effects.
Who should not use light therapy?
The major contraindications for the use of light therapy are diseases that involve the retina of the eye, such as diabetes, and the use of photosensitizing medications like lithium, melatonin, phenothiazine antipsychotics, and certain antibiotics.
Can SAD lamps cause migraines?
A headache may result from the use of a light box, especially if you are prone to migraine headaches. The bright light may intensify the discomfort. It may come on suddenly. Some may fade quickly with discontinuation whether others could persist for a prolonged period.
What is the best SAD lamp to buy?
The best SAD lamps to buy Lumie Vitamin L – Slim Light Box for Effective SAD Light Therapy. Beurer TL30UK SAD Lamp – Helps Combat Seasonal Affective Disorder – 10,000 lux – Compact Daylight Lamp – Adjustable Stand And Travel Bag – UV-Free LED Light Therapy – Certified Medical Device.
Can you use light therapy lamp all day?
Consistency is important. Use the light box daily from early fall to winter. Daily use is more likely to help boost your mood and energy. If you know that you get the winter blues, start in early fall and use the light box every morning.
Are SAD lights full-spectrum?
Light boxes are the standard light system used for SAD in clinical studies. They’re flat screens that produce full-spectrum fluorescent light, usually at an intensity of 10,000 lux. Some health clubs offer light box rooms where you can go sit in front of the boxes if you can’t afford to buy one for yourself.
Are grow lights safe to be around?
The bottom line is that LED grow lights are no more dangerous than any other type of grow light. HPS is much more dangerous than LEDs – high heat and risk of burns, risk of broken bulbs and fires, high environmental damage due to mercury content, high carbon footprint.
