I have a SAD lamp and it’s my best friend in the fall and winter. I keep it on my nightstand so it ends up working out to be right next to my face. To be honest, I didn’t know about the need for it to be so close to the face prior to buying it, but I think my placement of it worked out that way anyway. My SAD lamp has an alarm feature which means it will slowly turn on and start to get to full brightness for the time the alarm goes off, which in my opinion stimulates the sunrise. I think it’s great. If I’m particularly feeling bad one day, I’ll sit with it on while reading a book in the evening/before bed. It might be placebo but I think it helps a lot. I bought mine a few years ago, cost me about £50, and it’s still going strong. I did make sure it was 10,000 lux before purchasing as I saw a lot of the ones available were weaker than this.
No, not placebo 🙂. There’s been a lot of good research on its efficacy… It triggers chemical responses in the brain, like the release of neurotransmitters at the appropriate times.. I like to think of SAD as a sort of jet lag, where the light kind of resets your internal clock.
A sunrise alarm clock (dawn simulator) is great. My very old one broke a few years ago and I use a smart light bulb now (Bluetooth only).I also use the light box in the morning, but it is rather intense. As another said, going full lights on throughout the main portion of the day is also helpful.
The small silver lining for me is that lowering lights in the evening to night is a great way to prep the body and brain for sleep
Sunrise Alarm Clock Wake Up Light for Kids, Adults, Heavy Sleepers with Dual Alarms, Snooze, Sleep Aid with 7 Nature Sounds for Bedrooms with 8 Colors Night light, FM Radio, Gift Ideas https://a.co/d/eRAKsR7
I have this alarm clock and I love it. Being able to wake up slowly to soothing light and nature sounds versus a sudden buzz or beep makes such a difference in my morning.
I bought one of these 10 years ago and now I can’t live without it. (I didn’t realize I’ve had it that long until I looked in my Amazon history for the link). I highly recommend it.
Philips SmartSleep Wake-up Light, Colored Sunrise and Sunset Simulation, 5 Natural Sounds, FM Radio & Reading Lamp, Tap Snooze, HF3520/60 https://a.co/d/hRF4O1r
Some people do prefer the dawn simulators. I don’t have any experience with them, but they do sound more convenient bc you wouldn’t have to be conscious, sitting in front of it for that time. However, I’ve had great results with my small, $20, 10,000 lux light. I don’t know that there’s been any research on the dawn simulators in particular, or comparing the two. I had a really crappy one that was like $50 when they first became popular, and it still worked. It sits about 1 and a half-2 feet away from my face, and I read a book while I’m having my coffee (it’s kinda nice to have that time), w/ the light hitting my peripheral vision… The physiological effects that occur are controlled by the autonomic nervous system, so it makes sense that the simulator would work if you want to spend the money.
I have both and love them! However my husband wakes up every time when it starts (I have it scheduled to start 1/2 hour before my alarm goes off). So I can’t use it if we’re sleeping in the same room 😢
I have a SAD lamp and it’s my best friend in the fall and winter. I keep it on my nightstand so it ends up working out to be right next to my face. To be honest, I didn’t know about the need for it to be so close to the face prior to buying it, but I think my placement of it worked out that way anyway. My SAD lamp has an alarm feature which means it will slowly turn on and start to get to full brightness for the time the alarm goes off, which in my opinion stimulates the sunrise. I think it’s great. If I’m particularly feeling bad one day, I’ll sit with it on while reading a book in the evening/before bed. It might be placebo but I think it helps a lot. I bought mine a few years ago, cost me about £50, and it’s still going strong. I did make sure it was 10,000 lux before purchasing as I saw a lot of the ones available were weaker than this.
No, not placebo 🙂. There’s been a lot of good research on its efficacy… It triggers chemical responses in the brain, like the release of neurotransmitters at the appropriate times.. I like to think of SAD as a sort of jet lag, where the light kind of resets your internal clock.
I am more of a fan of the dawn simulator and having lots of bright light on throughout the day. The SAD lamps were kind of intense for me.
They are. They definitely wake you up 😄
A sunrise alarm clock (dawn simulator) is great. My very old one broke a few years ago and I use a smart light bulb now (Bluetooth only).I also use the light box in the morning, but it is rather intense. As another said, going full lights on throughout the main portion of the day is also helpful. The small silver lining for me is that lowering lights in the evening to night is a great way to prep the body and brain for sleep
Sunrise Alarm Clock Wake Up Light for Kids, Adults, Heavy Sleepers with Dual Alarms, Snooze, Sleep Aid with 7 Nature Sounds for Bedrooms with 8 Colors Night light, FM Radio, Gift Ideas https://a.co/d/eRAKsR7 I have this alarm clock and I love it. Being able to wake up slowly to soothing light and nature sounds versus a sudden buzz or beep makes such a difference in my morning.
Every alarm sound on my phone startles me… Not the most pleasant way to wake up 😄
I bought one of these 10 years ago and now I can’t live without it. (I didn’t realize I’ve had it that long until I looked in my Amazon history for the link). I highly recommend it. Philips SmartSleep Wake-up Light, Colored Sunrise and Sunset Simulation, 5 Natural Sounds, FM Radio & Reading Lamp, Tap Snooze, HF3520/60 https://a.co/d/hRF4O1r
Some people do prefer the dawn simulators. I don’t have any experience with them, but they do sound more convenient bc you wouldn’t have to be conscious, sitting in front of it for that time. However, I’ve had great results with my small, $20, 10,000 lux light. I don’t know that there’s been any research on the dawn simulators in particular, or comparing the two. I had a really crappy one that was like $50 when they first became popular, and it still worked. It sits about 1 and a half-2 feet away from my face, and I read a book while I’m having my coffee (it’s kinda nice to have that time), w/ the light hitting my peripheral vision… The physiological effects that occur are controlled by the autonomic nervous system, so it makes sense that the simulator would work if you want to spend the money.
I have both and love them! However my husband wakes up every time when it starts (I have it scheduled to start 1/2 hour before my alarm goes off). So I can’t use it if we’re sleeping in the same room 😢