Beyond its integral role in keeping the planet going, sunlight is essential to the health and mental wellness of humans. Sunlight stimulates the release of certain hormones in the human body that help regulate sleep and "mood," and sometimes sleep or mood disorders are experienced during months with limited sunlight. Because of this, lamps that simulate sunlight have been created as a form of light therapy.
Function
Fluorescent or incandescent bulbs are used in sunlight-simulating lamps, as well as LEDs (light-emitting diodes). Some lamps produce "blue light," which has been proven by Mayo Clinic researchers to be particularly effective in treating seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Lamps can be purchased at varying intensities, which is measured in lux (a term of measurement that determines the amount of light received at certain distances from the source). Standard intensity is 10,000 lux; however lamps producing 2,500 lux can also be purchased. Sunlight-simulating lamps provide more light than a typical lamp, which produces approximately 400 lux, but less than sunlight, which can reach 100,000 lux at midday.
Uses
According to researchers at Mayo Clinic, light therapy can be used to provide relief from problems such as SAD, depression, changing work shifts, jet lag, sleep disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, premenstrual dysphoric disorder and postpartum depression. Light therapy lamps are typically used daily for durations of up to two hours. They are simple to incorporate into daily tasks, as they can be used while sitting at a desk, reading, watching TV, eating and similar indoor activities.
Products
Before purchasing a lamp, be sure that it has been tested for safety and effectiveness. When buying a lamp, you will want to look for one that produces low UV light or that filters it out. Also, certain lamps are intended for specific uses (i.e. SAD light therapy), so be sure to look for one that is intended for your specific need.
Light-therapy lamps usually range from $200 to $500 and can be found at many drugstores or Internet retailers. The Internet is a great source for researching and finding lamps specifically designed for a variety of purposes. Lamps also come in a range of designs geared to make light therapy usage convenient. Some commonly used light therapy lamps are produced by: www.sunalite.com
www.fullspectrumsolutions.com
www.sadlight.com
It is always smart to talk to your healthcare provider before purchasing a light-therapy lamp to determine whether light therapy may be helpful for you.
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