Does Light Therapy Actually Work?

What are the benefits of lightboxes?

Do you notice that you become more tired and depressed during winter? Then you might suffer from seasonal affective disorder. What’s that, you might ask? It’s a mood disorder that happens at the same time every year. Seasonal affective disorder typically begins in the fall and ends in the spring. Other symptoms of seasonal affective disorder include difficulties concentrating, fatigue, increased appetite, greater need for sleep, and weight gain.

Though there are many different treatments for seasonal affective disorder, one of the most common and effective treatments is light therapy.

How does light therapy work?

Light therapy decreases symptoms of seasonal affective disorder by altering brain chemicals associated with mood and sleep. During a light therapy session, you sit near a light therapy box which gives off bright light that mimics natural daylight. According to Harvard Medical School, bright light ” stimulates cells in the retina that connect to the hypothalamus, a part of the brain that controls circadian rhythms. Activating the hypothalamus at a certain time every day can restore normal circadian rhythm and thus banish seasonal symptoms.”

You’re supposed to sit close to a light therapy box for at least 30 minutes daily, usually as soon as you wake up. These boxes typically provide 10,000 lux of light, which is about 100 times greater than the natural light found inside. A bright sunny day outside usually has 50,000 lux or more. The key is to keep your eyes open. You don’t have to stare directly at the light box — you can read a magazine or watch TV while receiving light therapy for the day.

H2: Not all light boxes are the same

Light boxes are designed to mimic outdoor lighting to help decrease seasonal affective disorder symptoms. Before investing in a light therapy box, you should consider these things:

• Get approval from your doctor first. Make sure you have a seasonal affective disorder diagnosis before beginning light therapy. Discuss treatment options with your doctor and get approval to use a light therapy box.
• Buy a lamp that is designed to treat seasonal affective disorder. Many light therapy lamps are on the market, and some are used for different things. Choose one that is specifically designed to treat symptoms associated with seasonal affective disorder.
• Look for a product that has been clinically tested. Make sure to do thorough research before deciding on a light therapy box.
• Choose a light therapy box with the right kind of light. The most common are blue light boxes and full spectrum light boxes. Blue light boxes decrease seasonal affective disorder symptoms faster than other types of light. Full spectrum light boxes are considered to be the best at mimicking natural light. Speak with your doctor about the best kind of light for your symptoms.
• Use a light therapy box that emits at least 10,000 lux. You’re wasting your money if you buy a light box that emits less than that.
• Invest in a lightbox that filters out ultraviolet rays. These rays can cause premature aging. Locate a light box that has minimal ultraviolet rays or, better yet, none at all.
• Purchase a larger light box. The larger the light box, the more light it produces, which means the more effective it will be in treating seasonal affective disorder.

So, does light therapy actually work?

Yes — light therapy has been both clinically and empirically proven to treat symptoms of seasonal affective disorder. However, you should first get prior approval from your doctor and invest in a large lightbox with at least 10,000 lux and broad spectrum light. Remember to use your light therapy box for at least 30 minutes daily to reap its benefits.

References

1. “8 Gold Rules for Buying a Light Box for SAD,” Beat the Winter Blues, n.d.
2. “How Does Light Therapy Actually Work?,” Joovv, n.d.
3. “Seasonal Affective Disorder: Bring on the Light,” Harvard Health Publishing, October 29, 2015.