Health & Fitness Tools

Use A Light Box To Fight Winter Sadness

26th January, 2011 - Posted by health news - No Comments

In the winter months solar beams weaken. The days shorten. Frequently the sky is cloudier, too. These short, grey, days can have a harmful effect on our physical and mental health. It’s a time when many people have sorrowful and the winter blues. Light treatment can be the answer.

What’s Light treatment?

Light care is a technique of exposing your body to light on a consistent basis. For a while scientists did not understand why light influenced folk. However , the discovery of SAD – or Seasonal Affective Disorder – and winter depression pointed to the fact that light was very important to lots of people. During the last one or two years the medical community has learned about vitamin D. Exposure to daylight triggers your body to make vitamin D. This vitamin is needed for physical and mental health.

Our bodies are also dependent upon circadian rhythms. This is your body’s natural response to light and dark. When it’s dark, your body is triggered through the releasing of hormones to sleep. When it’s light, you wake. However , lots of people’s bodies struggle with hormonal balance during the winter months. Light treatment helps balance hormones and reinforces those circadian rhythms.

How to Find Light treatment

Light therapy can be acheived in a considerable number of ways. The most elementary way is to be sure you get 20 to thirty mins of sun every day. However , if the sun isn’t shining then that can be a challenge.

Another possibility is to purchase or make a light box. They’re available on many home products websites, medical sites and even in your local big box store. As an example, you should purchase a Philips Light treatment box on Amazon for nearly $130 bucks.

You may purchase full spectrum lightbulbs and use them in a lamp at home. The key nonetheless , is to make certain you use them each day. Bare yourself to full spectrum light for thirty mins minimum. Full spectrum lighting is about half as powerful as the sun’s rays.

You may purchase a convenient tool called a dawn simulator. This gadget gradually lightens your room to simulate morning. If you battle to wake when it’s dark outside, you may gain advantage from this machine.

Your doctor can also prescribe light care which can often be done inpatient in a number of cases, or you can take a light box home. If your insurance covers it, you can save some cash.

Using Light care

Use your light box or light therapy daily. Some pros suggest placing the light above your head, like the sun. If you’re unsure, read the directions or ask your physician. Most light boxes are engineered to sit on a table.

Make light therapy part of your daily routine. As an example, sit at the table during lunchtime or breakfast with the light box on. If feasible, begin using it before the winter depression or sadness hits. Be proactive.

Light plays an important role in the body’s physical and mental well-being. If you battle with unhappiness and depression, consider purchasing a light box or making one yourself. A basic box ranges in price from $40 to $200 and they’e freely available. Your mental fitness is worth it!