How SAD Light Boxes Work

Light box therapy refers to the process of exposing an individual to particular wavelengths of light that mimic real sunlight. This kind of therapy is used to treat several conditions, the most common of which is Seasonal Affective Disorder. SAD is characterised by a kind of depression that is experienced typically during autumn or winter as a result of lack of sunlight.  It’s thought that about 9 million people are affected by seasonal affective disorder (SAD) in the UK.

I have been using LBT to treat my depression for 3 years now, from September onwards.  I now govern my moods not the seasons or the weather.  I live in the UK and after years of struggling I realised that when the days started to get shorter and everything outside went grey my symptoms became unbearable.

Light boxes work by emitting light at certain frequencies to affect the general mood of the individual. Aside from being used to treat seasonal affective disorder, it is also used to treat conditions like neonatal jaundice, acne, sleeping disorders, psychiatric disorders, and various skin conditions. It is also medically used to help with pain management, improve blood circulation, and to speed up the healing process of open wounds. It is fairly easy to purchase a UV light box, as they are widely available in the market. Light box therapy is highly recommended as it is non-invasive and does not involve the use of medications.

A SAD light box is typically used for a minimum of 30 minutes up to several hours every morning. When using this kind of device, it is important to make sure that the light shines directly towards your eyes but you also have to make sure that you keep a certain distance away from the device at the risk of eye damage. However, it is worth noting that, you cannot just use any kind of light to conduct light therapy, as it may not be safe. A light box used for light box therapy typically emits about 10,000 lux. There are some varieties that are stronger and some that are weaker. The type you choose should depend on the intensity of light that you are most comfortable with. Light boxes that emit 2500 lux may have to be used for about 2 hours for it to take effect.

Before conducting light therapy, make sure that you fully understand the instructions for using the light box to avoid any damages. Keeping a distance of at least 12 inches is recommended to ensure safety. Light box therapy can be highly beneficial for anyone suffering from seasonal affective disorder or any of the aforementioned conditions, provided that it is used properly. Keep in mind that a light box emits UV rays, though not as strong and potentially damaging as the sun’s rays, so it is important to maintain proper distance and to use it for the recommended time in order to benefit from its effects.  Be safe.  And make sure you buy a product that is medically certified.

LBT has given me back my life.  I couldn’t come to terms with taking medication because – it only treats the symptoms but not the cause.  Light deficiency causes SAD so it made perfect sense to use extra light to treat it.  I started to feel the benefit in around 1 week using LBT.  It really is as easy a switching on a light.