We need to talk about SAD lamps. Feeling a little low during the short, dark days of fall and winter is totally natural and most of us feel it in varying degrees. Some feel it more acutely than others and might be suffering from seasonal affective disorder or SAD. Light therapy has been shown effective at improving overall mood for those who suffer SAD. SAD lamps can be purchased online and they project light onto you to mimic the warm rays of the sun that we knowingly or not crave. Roughly 5% of Americans deal with SAD so you are not alone and it is totally wise to seek relief.
When used properly, SAD lamps cause chemical changes in the brain that tricks it into believing it is summer and thus, releasing serotonin. Some SAD lamps are better than others so don’t just buy the cheapest one you see on Amazon because SAD lamps are unregulated. The folks at The Strategist spoke with the Center for Environmental Therapeutics, a nonprofit research and education institution and the leading authority on SAD and light therapy to get their recommendations. We will share them with you so can purchase the right SAD lamp for you that will actually get the job done.
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How to Use SAD Lamps for Light Therapy
For best results, use a SAD lamp first thing in the morning and position it about a foot away from your face. Don’t look directly into the light, instead angle it slightly so you can multitask while you soak up those rays for at least 20 minutes but up to 30. Feel free to watch TV, eat breakfast, or check your email while the light shines on your face.
Ultimately, you are going to get the best treatment for SAD from a doctor or light therapy specialist. So, be sure to consult your physician. However, SAD lamps are safe if used as directed and will not be reacting to any medications that make your skin sensitive to light.
Carex Day-Light Classic Plus Bright Light Therapy Lamp
$109 at the time of publication.
To trigger the brain’s release of serotonin, a true SAD lamp must have a brightness level of at least 10,000 LUX of white light. This lamp from Carex delivers just that. It has a big light surface that measures 16 by 13 inches and should offer relief if you position it 12 inches away from your face. Another great feature is that it blocks 99.3 percent of UV light. It’s not the most beautiful lamp but it is rated extremely well with over 2,000 positive reviews on Amazon.
Northern Light Technologies Luxor Mini 10,000 Lux-Light Therapy Desk Lamp
$99 at the time of publication.
Much more aesthetically pleasing and smaller than the previous one, this SAD lamp from Northern Light Technologies is also great. It emits 10,000 LUX of light at a distance of up to 10 inches and like the last lamp, it blocks most UV light. You want a lamp that you will actually feel inclined to use so having this cute one on your desk could encourage you to use it daily.
Northern Light Technologies Boxelite-OS 10,000 Lux Bright Light Therapy Light Box
$205 at the time of publication.
The Center for Environmental Therapeutics (CET) recommends this SAD lamp which is a box-style lamp that’s rather large and also expensive. We always encourage you to trust the experts and this one would be a wise choice. It’s got the required 10,000 LUX metric and also blocks UV. It is one of the easiest lamps on this list to tilt to the perfect position which also makes it an attractive choice.
Northern Light Technologies Boxelite
$190 at the time of publication.
CET highly recommends the products from Northern Light Technologies so we wanted to share a couple more products from them. All have the 10,000 LUX light metric and block UV. This one is slightly smaller without the cumbersome legs of the previous model. It’s perfect to put on your desk where you can sit less than 14 inches from it.
Northern Light Technologies Flamingo 10,000 Lux Bright Light Therapy Floor Lamp
$230 at the time of publication.
If you’re not one to stay seated first thing in the morning, this floor lamp-style SAD lamp is great to set up next to a treadmill or other exercise equipment so you can soak up those rays while you work out. It can also be positioned to work if you are seated on something like a sofa because it stands at 4 feet tall.
Northern Light Technology Travelite 10,000 Lux Bright Light Therapy Portable Light Box
$165 at the time of publication.
Most of the portable SAD lamps on Amazon are the cheap and ineffective kind. This one from Northern Light Technologies actually delivers. It’s got a slim, streamlined profile that makes it easy to carry around and set up wherever it is convenient for you.
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Alaska Northern Lights Northstar – 10,000 LUX Bright Light Therapy Lamp
$300 at the time of publication.
Another brand that comes highly recommended is Alaskan Northern Lights. This very large lightbox does not try and look like a more traditional lamp and instead puts function over style. It’s got the biggest surface at 12.5 by 22.5 inches and a rating of 10,000 lux at 24 inches. That means you will be getting much more light and can move around a bit more to still get the benefits. Bigger is better when it comes to your SAD lamp so if you’ve got the budget and the space for it, go with a larger model.
There you go! We hope you found some SAD lamps that you want to give a try. Each of these lamps has the power to trick your brain if you let it.
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