
You can do other activities while you're using light therapy, such as eating or reading. "To get the benefit, you must be awake with your eyes open. SAD lamps should be used within an hour of waking up in the morning, and you should try not to use your lamp after 5pm as it can affect your sleep. "Doctors recommend using light therapy at an intensity of 10,000 lux (a measure of how bright the light is) for 30 minutes every day," Fatmata adds. SAD lamps are specially made to give off a much brighter light than a normal lightbulb. So, it could be a helpful way to boost your mood until the days start getting longer." "Evidence around light-therapy is still not 100% conclusive, but it does look as though it can deliver positive short-term effects. "A SAD lamp works by replacing the light you’d normally see in lighter seasons and helps to stimulate your brain to release feel-good hormones," Fatmata Kamara, Specialist Mental Health Advisor at Bupa UK tells us. Of all the lifestyle treatments out there, many people often credit SAD lamps to helping reduce their symptoms.

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There are different treatments for SAD, from lifestyle changes to medications and therapies, and it's best to speak with a medical professional for diagnosis and treatment options.


SAD stands for Seasonal Affective Disorder, and is often most experienced during the autumn and winter months. Have you noticed your mood has dipped recently? That your energy levels are low? Maybe your appetite has gone or you're finding it hard to sleep? Well, you might be one of the three in 100 people in the UK affected by SAD - a type of depression related to the change in the seasons.
