Light Therapy Lamps Can Help You With Seasonal Affective Disorder
During the winter months, many people often succumb to feelings of depression, sleepiness, and low spirits and it is often linked to the loss of constant sunlight. This lack of sunlight, referred to as Seasonal Affective Disorder or SAD, can have a major effect on the hormones and metabolism. To rectify the situation, many people are using light therapy lamps, as they can easily reverse the effects from a deficiency in sunlight.
Light therapy lamps use fluorescent bulbs and can be purchased in many styles and variations. From desk lamps to floor lamps, they can be found online and in many department stores. However, before purchasing, always consider the available features and whether it has been tested for effectiveness.
Generally, an individual experiencing SAD should sit close to the lamp between thirty minutes to two hours, no more than once or twice a day. While you should not look directly into the light itself, you do want the lamp pointed directly at you. For the best results, make sure you set a timer for the period in which the light should be on.
Although most people would like results the first day, it can take between five and ten days for your body to respond to this type of therapy. Should you miss a day or two under the light, you may find that your body reverts back and you may see signs of the depression you were seeing beforehand. For this reason, make sure you use the lamp everyday.
Even though light therapy lamps have not been approved as an official treatment for SAD, many people often find they do not function in the winter months without them. Check with your physician to find out if you have any health conditions that may interfere with this type of therapy before you begin. Once you begin using them, you will only wish that you had purchased one sooner.