If you are feeling sluggish and you just want to be hunkered down in your home on the couch, then it might not just be the cold weather that is bringing you down. When the days are shorter during the months of fall and winter, the serotonins in your body may start to hibernate in the neurons of your brain.
This is a type of depression that is known as Seasonal Affective Disorder and it only takes hold of a person during the months of fall and winter. The people who suffer from this condition have a hard time being able to take care of their day-to-day activities and chores as they don’t feel the best that they can feel.
Studies have been able to show that you are more likely to suffer from this condition if you are a woman, are young, live a lot further from the equator, or it may even be down to their genetic makeup. Those who have this condition have about 5 percent more of a kind of transporter protein. This protein is required to whisk away serotonin from the spaces in between your neurons. It is also required to move the serotonin into your presynaptic neuron. This can really lead to serious depression.
The sunlight that we get during the summer months prevents this sort of depression from taking a hold of the person. During the months of the winter, however, in many parts of the world, this sunlight is not present. People who suffer from SAD are also much more likely to have problems with the melatonin regulation in their bodies.
One of the best and safest ways of treating this condition is Light Therapy, which is also known as phototherapy. Other things to consider if you have SAD are antidepressants, psychotherapy, and also vitamin D. A lot of people may think that their light therapy is not going according to plan after having purchased the device but this is mainly due to the fact that they were not aware of how to properly make best use of their devices.
How to make the most out of your device.
1.The light has to be 10,000 lux.
Do not just use any lamp as that will not be able to serve your needs. You need the full spectrum of light that you get from the sun normally. Make sure that the light boxes you are using are especially made for the purposes of blue and red light therapy. What this means is that the light in the device has to be able to produce light that is 10,000 Lux units strong. This type of light is normally about 20 times stronger than the normal lights people use for indoor lighting. If you purchase a lamp that does not have the sufficient light producing capabilities, you will need to spend more time in that light.
2. Full Spectrum of light but no UV light.
Make sure that the light box you buy is able to keep out at least 90 percent of UV rays. These rays are harmful for the body and should not be used for any purpose.
3. Proper Placement
It is very important that you place your light therapy device properly. How far the light is and also its position relative to your eyes will make a world of difference. The light therapy device that you buy ought to be able to mimic the feeling of being outside on a sunny day.
4. It Should Be Placed 2 Feet From Your Eyes
If the light therapy device that you purchase is weak, then you will probably need to sit a lot closer to it. However, as we have mentioned before, you need to get a device that is strong enough to produce 10,000 lux units of light. So, when you get a device that is able to accomplish this, make sure that you give yourself a 2 feet distance between the device and yourself.
5. It Should Be Positioned At an Angle
One thing to be aware of is to not put the light just directly in front of your eyes. It should instead be kept at an angle in order to make sure that you are using the device safely and also making the most out of it.
6. About 60 minutes in the morning.
Initially your sessions should be about 20 to 30 minutes per day and ideally in the morning. See if the initial amount of time spent in front of the device is able to produce a difference in both your mood and also your energy levels. If you think it is not being of much help, then increase the amount of time you spend in front of the device. Go up to 60 minutes per day but do it gradually.
7. Consistency is Key
This is yet another thing that will definitely help you get the most out of your light therapy device. When you use the device on a daily basis, you are much more likely to see better results. If, for instance, you know you will get the winter blues, make sure that you do it early in the morning during the months of fall and winter.
Light therapy is an incredibly safe form of therapy and it has gotten extremely popular within the span of the last few years and the trend does not seem to be slowing down. This is down to the fact that it actually works.
Meta Description: Have you recently bought a light therapy device or are looking into getting one, then make sure that you go through this article. We will tell you how exactly you can make the best use out of your new device.