The Power of Box Light Therapy for Depression

Box light therapy is becoming more popular for depression sufferers. We live in an age where 70% of us are sleep deprived due to lack of sunshine.

Here's what another reader wrote...

"I was on Wellbutrin and Prozac until using your techniques. I increased my Omega 3 intake and purchased a GoLite... I haven’t felt so good for so many consecutive days in 20 years. I’ve also increased my exercise amount and intensity. I keep waiting to feel bad and I just haven’t in over two weeks… Thank you for your website and your incredible tips!!!"

Many of us go to work when it’s dark and come home when it’s dark. Well, you do were I live! I live in the Pacific North West where it rains and rains during the winter months. Many of us can easily begin to suffer from seasonal affective disorder and our doctors recommend that if we can’t spend at least 30 minutes in sunlight per day, to consider 30 minutes with light therapy.

I’m writing this after a most beautiful sunny day. Boy, what a difference a sunny day makes!

But, if you are lacking in sunny days outside due to work schedules or rainy winters, you should seriously consider a light box. 

Box light therapy has taken off because in only a matter of days you can feel like you’re ‘walking on sunshine!’ Intensity is the key to box light therapy, which has about 20 years of research backing their success. The first studies were conducted at the National Institute of Mental Health in the early '80s. Look for a box that provides 10,000 lux, a measure of light intensity. Follow the box light therapy instructions to the ‘T’ after consulting your doctor. Stick with it. If you stop, the blues can return during the winter months.

"How do you know if you could benefit from light therapy?"

Do you have problems waking up in the morning, falling asleep during the day or problems with drowsiness and carbohydrate cravings? Are you always tired, pessimistic, or would rather be alone during the winter months? Well, that’s a very good sign you suffer from SAD.

"What do you look for in a light box?"

You'll want to buy a light box large enough to provide 10,000 lux at a comfortable distance. Distances sitting away from it are usually from 14 to 24 inches. Usually, the smaller — or less expensive — the box, the closer you must be for it to work.

When you look for a light box, look for something that will fit with your lifestyle – such as at the breakfast table with your morning coffee or orange juice.

"Is box light therapy for everyone?"

Ah, no! If you've had any damage to your eyes; illness related to vision; or a medical history other than corrective lenses, such as glaucoma or macular degeneration, check with your eye doctor before using a light box.

If your skin is sensitive to light.

If you are taking medication that react with sunlight such as certain antibiotics or anti-inflammatories. (Ask your doctor first.)

Although you can practice light therapy without a prescription, and buy light boxes over-the-counter, you must consult your doctor when you use one. Done improperly, light therapy won't be effective, and it could even be harmful.

However, when light therapy is properly applied it is one of the best methods of combating SAD. Give it a try after you talk with your doctor. It could make a difference!

Related Articles:

"Light Box Seasonal Affective Disorder"

"How Light Therapy Works"- Seattle Times Report

Back to Home from Box Light Therapy

Source:

A light box can brighten your darker days — when used correctly, Seattle Times interviews David Avery, a professor at the University of Washington School of Medicine and director of Inpatient Psychiatry at Harborview Medical Center. He has been studying SAD for 15 years.

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/ health/2002598258_healthlightboxes02.html / accessed Oct 8-06

Seasonal affective disorder: Treatment with light therapy/

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/ seasonal-affective-disorder/MH00023 / accessed Oct 8-06

ShareFacebookTwitterPinterestTumblrRedditWhatsApp