SAD light boxes inexpensive to use

Question

I am planning to get a high-intensity SAD light or sunrise device to help reduce my wintertime blues. Do these things really work, what features should I look for and are they expensive to use?

Aor seasonal affective disorder, blues are supposedly caused by the reduced number of daylight hours during the winter. I am not a physician, but some people claim the proper use of lighting devices can reduce problems with SAD. Before trying to treat yourself for SAD, consult your doctor.

Some hospitals have SAD light therapy rooms that you can use for a fee. If your local hospital offers this, it is a good way to determine if the therapy helps you. A SAD light therapy box with a stand costs several hundred dollars.

Almost all of the SAD light boxes use several fluorescent tubes for the light source. Fluorescent tubes use about 25 percent of the electricity as standard incandescent light bulbs and they last many times longer. Since the light box is used for only a short period each day, the electricity usage and overall cost are not great.

It used to be thought that using full-spectrum bulbs, which simulate the natural white light from the sun, was important. Today, many experts feel the intensity of the light on one's eyes is more important than the natural appearance of the light.

Most of the SAD light boxes produce a minimum of 10,000 lux of light intensity. This sounds bright, but consider the light intensity outdoors on a clear sunny day is as high as 90,000 lux. At 10,000 lux, you can easily read a newspaper or magazine without uncomfortable glare. The typical SAD light box is lightweight, about two feet long and only four inches deep.

The intensity of the light is also a function of how far your eyes are from the light box. When you compare SAD boxes from various manufacturers, ask at what distance they produce 10,000 lux light intensity. If the distance is too small, you will have to have the light uncomfortably close. A distance of about 18 to 24 inches is generally reasonable.

In addition to light therapy boxes, other devices are also used to combat wintertime SAD. You mentioned a sunrise device. These are called dawn simulators and have an alarm clock built into a lamp. Other models have an outlet into which you plug a lamp.

About 30 minutes before the alarm goes off, the dawn simulator slowly begins to brighten the bulb to simulate the sun's coming up. Even though you are sleeping, the light will penetrate your eyelids similar to real sunlight. Other devices are lighted simulated windows with changeable scenes.