(Image Point Fr / Shutterstock.com)
We are deep into January, and winter is in full swing. The days are short, grey, and cold, and many of us are fighting the infamous "Winter Blues." Yes, lack of sun light can cause a type of depression called seasonal affective disorder (or SAD). Sun light triggers an increase in serotonin – a "happy hormone" – in your body, and with a long winter ahead of us we must look for other options to improve our moods.
One of the best ways to combat SAD is with light therapy. This treatment is safe, accessible, and easy and there is a wide range of different light therapy lamps available on the market. After about 2-3 weeks of using the lamp for approximately 30 minutes a day users report that their symptoms vastly improve. Most of these lamps are small and unobtrusive, and can easily slip into your home's décor – just switch it on and carry on with your normal day.
When purchasing your light therapy device, keep a few things in mind. Make sure that the light you are purchasing gives off at least 10,000 lux of light. Less than that and the light might not be effective. There are many reviews online, and it will be easy to find the best lamp for you.
Try to find one whose bulb is easy to find and replace. You don't want to be stuck trying to figure out how to put the lamp back together.
Finally, do your due diligence and research. There are so many different types and styles of lamp. Do you miss exercising outside? There is even one that you can clip to your treadmill in order to simulate running outdoors.
There are larger lamps which are considered to be the most effective. There are small, discreet lamps that don't take up too much space. There are funky designs such as vintage-style light-bulbs. There are even happy lamp alarm clocks, which simulate sunrise, giving their users a gentle, natural wake up.
So, no need to splurge on a trip to Jamaica to get some sun and shake out the winter blues – instead, invest in a happy light which will keep your home sunny and happy all winter long!
*Note: Please talk to your physician about light therapy, if it is right for you, and how best to implement it.
YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE:
5 Teas To Warm Up Your Winter And Leave You Feeling Healthy
10 Ways To Do Good in the Winter
8 Tasty Foods That Will Boost Your Mood
