SAD Lamps, Lightboxes, etc...

Yes, so I'm going to be investing in one at some point in the next couple of months -- really could have used it this summer as well! 

Any recommendations?  Does anyone else out there use one/a product you would recommend?

Oh yeah - recently I've also read about something called a 'light visor' which sounds like it's a mini-SAD lamp attached to the visor of a ball cap (or similar) that you can just wear around the house.  Sounds pretty freaky because I sure wouldn't go out in it! 

TIA!

I inherited this one from a colleague at work when he got an "office with a window".



I used it for 3 winters (oct/nov-mar).  I would just pop it on for about 30 minutes first thing in the morning.  It's quite big, 14-16 inches(?) tall and 4 inches in triangular diameter (if you get what I mean). It would be best suited to somewhere you could leave it put and you sat there for 30 minutes each day.  I think you are supposed to use it at the same time each day, but I could be remembering that wrong.

Try dropping Anne a line on FB. I know she has something for SAD.

We've been thinking about getting one too. I had one in the US to help with a sleep disorder I struggled with, and it helped me get over it. If I'd realized DH struggled with SAD, I'd have kept it-it was a really expensive one too.

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Karin, I've seen stuff about Lumie brand products before & I think they are supposed to be quite good & fit for purpose!  Thanks.  

Chary, I'll definitely drop a word to Anne about it as well.

I guess I'll have to see what's available, price, etc.  My schedule is kind of all over the place - days I work, I get up really early & early into the office.  Then I'm at home the other days, except for the gym.  And my routine is so different Sat/Sun to Wed-Thurs (work days), and then Mon & Fri - it'd probably be kind of hard to sit down with it at the same time every single day so I'm hoping that doesn't matter so much.

I don't know if there are items portable enough to take from one place to the other?  It'd be nice to have something I could set up at my desk at work & still have it for home too.  The visor thing sounds interesting but I wouldn't wear it at work!  Logistics?!  

Cadenza, I wonder if it'd help me with my sleep - I get such rubbish sleep these days.  Waking up frequently through the night, light sleeping when I do sleep, then awake early (even when I don't have to go to work).  Blah.

ETA - I think MLG is in the market for one too, so it may be that several of us watch for recs & suggestions on this thread! 

I don't know if there are items portable enough to take from one place to the other?  It'd be nice to have something I could set up at my desk at work & still have it for home too.  The visor thing sounds interesting but I wouldn't wear it at work!  Logistics?! 

I don't know...sounds like you do have a solution, you're just too vain to use it!    I can see you at the bus stop with your visor. At least it would do double duty and also keep all that rain off your face!

I don't know...sounds like you do have a solution, you're just too vain to use it!    I can see you at the bus stop with your visor. At least it would do double duty and also keep all that rain off your face!

I might get electrocuted!  Maybe it'd ward away morning bus stop pests of the human variety (not the JW these days, but another person) - except I fear it would only make him more curious & getting up in my face than he already does. 

I have a Philips Wake Up Light. It's ok.

I bought this reasonably priced lamp in November.  It is not huge, so it is portable if you want to take it to work.  I felt like it was really helpful in getting me through January/February this year.

It might help.  They are used with what's called circadian rhythm sleep disorders--when your cycle gets all turned around.  Jet lag is a circadian rhythm disorder, and then some people get them without the travel.  It isn't so bad if you're a desperately early morning person, as this is socially acceptable, but I had the reverse for years, which kept me unable to sleep until late at night and then desperately struggling to get up in the morning.  I was really struggling and came close to losing a job when I kept coming super late.  It was so embarrassing.  The light therapy helped me get things back on track again.

The trick with the lamps is to get ones that are certified at 10,000 lux.  That's the level that's needed for therapeutic purposes.  But what not everyone will tell you is to check what distance you need to be at in order to get that strength.  Cheaper lights will require you to have it right in your face, whereas other ones will give you a foot or two's space so you can do other things like read a book or eat breakfast.  I just set mine up in the bathroom and had it there while I did my hair and make-up.  If you use it first thing in the morning, it works best.

Are SAD lamps just light levels from an LED lamp without any UV?
 (can't be bothered with google right now) -  My autoimmune disease flares with UV and I wouldn't want to make things worse! But on the other hand, I really think I need some light, as I'm wondering if my horrible mood lately is due to the weather this 'summer'.

We have a little travel-size one though I don't recall the brand. You're not supposed to look directly at it so in the winter my husband I set it up between us while having our morning cuppa, on a twenty minute timer. I notice a big difference in my husbands mood when he doesn't have time to use it.

I have this one-it's pricey but when I bought it I was so desperate I didn't care!! It is great to carry back and forth to the office-lightweight and it has it's own little travel bag. I think it is supposed to be used in the morning but I just turn it on whenever I remember. My boss thought I was nuts to begin with but now everyone likes to take turns with it!!

Are SAD lamps just light levels from an LED lamp without any UV?
 (can't be bothered with google right now) -  My autoimmune disease flares with UV and I wouldn't want to make things worse! But on the other hand, I really think I need some light, as I'm wondering if my horrible mood lately is due to the weather this 'summer'.

It depends on what you get.  I think a lot of the newer ones use LED technology, the one I had in the US was a fluorescent lamp with a smooth diffusing screen that filters out ultraviolet (UV) rays.  You can get those.  They are quite large in size and a bit cumbersome, but if it does the job, all the better!

Oh lots of great suggestions here for me to check out - especially on portable ones - it sounds like that would be what I need (unless they were cheap enough to shell out for two - I don't think so!).

I'd probably be like bry30538 - just turning it on when I get a spare moment, lol!  I don't have any problems waking up - the problem is staying asleep!  Most days I wake (at least initially) between 4 and 5:30 am - to the point that I rarely need an alarm.  And I'm not a morning person so I hate this.  I think that issue is perimenopause maybe.

Anyway, I  want the light for SAD.  And I do try to get out every day for natural daylight - but living so far north & working, it gets really challenging in the short day months!