Hi everyone,

Now that the nights are getting darker sooner (thanks, Scottish farmers!), I was wondering whether anyone has, or has ever used, a light box or similar to get through dark winters. I'm not suggesting I have SAD per se (I have lots of other mental issues, but I don't think SAD is one of them!), but am interested in hearing whether these things actually help brighten mood, lift gloom, and so on. Oh, and if you DO have one, which one? They seem awfully expensive...

Matt

my hubby is suffering I think, he hasn't seen daylight in weeks cos he's up at 6am and back at 7.30pm.

I'm also considering buying one, my main reservation is that I've heard they can irritate your eyes and even damage them??

I was also considering getting a 'wake up' light alarm clock thingy, like the lumie ones. But again - v expensive.

At the mo, I'm just making him eat his 5 a day and take vitamin tablets. Also trying to increase his exercise and get him out at the weekends.

Yes, those alarm clocks do look good. But soooo expensive.

So, I'll expand the question. Anyone used a lightbox and/or one of those wakey-uppy light alarm clock things?

well I've spoken to people who say the lumie clock things are great, but you have to have it right next to your bed/head i.e. not across the other side of the room. I think it just helps feeling less startled in the dark when the alarm goes. and you wake naturally rahter than having to have the alarm.

I've also seen those full-spectrum light bulbs which are supposed to work, but not sure if they're clinically proven because they're not enough lux(?)

I was watching a programme that included light boxes (like the alarm clocks) yesterday, and apparently they help you wake up easier by mimicking dawn and cutting down the production of melanonin (or something like that - historian, not a scientist) As for the light boxes - I have a friend who used one and she felt them to be amazing, made a huge difference to her life - depression that haunted her all winter lifted with the use of a light box so obviously SAD was a big factor for her. I haven't used one myself but think that they seem very very useful.

I have suffered with SAD for years and used to have a lightbox, it's great, in fact I think I might get one again - I've been okay the past few years but this year it's really set off again, I nearly burst into tears at work the other day. My doctor recommended it as I was against using antidepressants (had a majorly bad experience with them in my youth) and it really helped. I can't remember what make I had, but you get what you pay for alas!

You could buy a daylight bulb. They're about a tenner, but they give out the full light spectrum of daylight and last for about 7 years.

I bought a lumie clock yesterday and used it for an 'alarm' this morning. Was really weird - woke naturally without any alarm. Will see how it goes over the next week and report back!

Sneaks - I've wanted one of those for ages as I always have to get up early and find it difficult to stop pressing the snooze button unless I've gone to bed at like 10pm the night before. If you think it works I'm going to treat myself to one!

well, we set our old alarm just in case, for 6am, but we woke naturally at 5.53 with the light and it was a different kind of waking - very strange. Although may try it 5 mins later, so we wake up at 6am - those 7-8 mins of sleep are essential :p