SAD? Lighten Up

When the clocks fall back and the days start to shorten, our hours in the sunlight become scarce. This can cause a lot of people to feel less energetic, moody and unhappy. For some, the seasonal change actually leads to a type of depression called seasonal affective disorder (also called SAD). One way to alleviate some of these symptoms is light therapy. Although light therapy is not a cure, it may increase your energy levels, regulate sleep and boost your mood.

During light therapy, you sit near a light box for an extended period of time—most people choose to do it in the morning. In order for it to be effective, you should be relatively close to the light, and facing it with your eyes open. Aside from that, you’re free to do your makeup, read a book, surf the web or do whatever you’d like. The amount of time you should spend in front of the light varies depending on the amount of LUX the lamp produces, but is typically between 30 minutes and two hours.

Light therapy is generally safe, but it’s always good to discuss with your doctor before you try a new treatment, especially if you have a history of skin cancer, or have a condition or are taking a medication that makes your skin more sensitive to light or your eyes vulnerable to light damage.