Posted by janejane on January 2, 2010, at 15:54:29
In reply to Light Boxes, posted by inanimate peanut on January 1, 2010, at 21:39:44
Peanut,
Since no one has answered yet, I will tell you what little I know. There is a small section about lamps in that Ross book if you want to do a "search inside this book thing" on it (I think she also has a list of places to buy them in the references or something). She thinks the lux rating doesn't need to be as high as others recommend. Whether she's right about that, I'm not sure.
I just got myself a full spectrum bulb and put in a regular lamp I have. Since it's not very strong, I just stay under it for a longer amount of time. I don't use it regularly, and have not really noticed an improvement in mood, but I haven't exactly given it a good trial, either. I do think I feel more awake while I'm under the light though.
On a related note, have you ever gotten your vitamin D tested? I found out mine is low and have been taking supplements. (Again, don't notice a difference in mood, but vitamin D is important for other things as well so it's important to have good levels.) My insurance co-pay for the test was like a couple bucks or something. If you live in a an area that has winter, you might want to get it checked. I think the jury is out on whether lamps actually increase Vitamin D (some say yes others say no). Supplements definitely do, though. Of course, sunlight also affects others things, like melatonin (and I think serotonin) so light therapy could be helpful beyond what Vitamin D supplements would do. I thought I'd mention the D though, since lots of people get low in the winter. It seems like I've been reading a lot more about it in the news lately too.
poster:janejane
thread:932057
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/alter/20091202/msgs/932158.html