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Original poster

Do SAD lamps really help?

44 replies

MagpiePi · 14/09/2023 09:46

I tend to struggle with the gloom and cold of winter and was wondering whether to get a SAD light. I wfh for 3 days a week and often find it difficult to get out during daylight hours on those days.

I do lots of exercise including walking/running on non-work days and generally get out after work during the summer but I find it much, much harder in the winter.

I'd love to hear any positive or negative eperiences with SAD lamps.

OP posts:
MuffinCoffee · 14/09/2023 10:01

Following as every winter I struggle with the darkness too.

Lottie2shoes · 14/09/2023 10:07

Same. I've always wondered whether to invest in a SAD lamp but worry they are just the latest fad. I do not have spare funds to invest in something pointless and for it to be glaring at me from wherever I place because I feel guilty just to throw it out!

BellaAndDave · 14/09/2023 10:10

I feel a huge difference using mine, I also have Biolight light bulbs in a couple of rooms that use when the nights get dark really early. I don’t use them in the evening though as they stop me sleeping.

Edited to say I also have a Lumie alarm clock and take Vit D and Vit B12 which I find makes a difference.

peonies23 · 14/09/2023 10:20

Lottie2shoes · 14/09/2023 10:07

Same. I've always wondered whether to invest in a SAD lamp but worry they are just the latest fad. I do not have spare funds to invest in something pointless and for it to be glaring at me from wherever I place because I feel guilty just to throw it out!

Definitely not a 'latest' fad! Been around for years!

I've got a lumie sunrise alarm clock- helpful.

Also an iPad sized sad lamp to turn on darker winter days. It's v bright and helps a little for sure.

Original poster
MagpiePi · 14/09/2023 10:21

@BellaAndDave
I take a multivitamin that includes D and B12 and am hoping they are doing me some good!

@Lottie2shoes I nearly bought one of these Lumie Vitamin L SAD Light yesterday from eBay. It was about £40.

OP posts:
Original poster
MagpiePi · 14/09/2023 10:23

@peonies23 thanks for that. I am getting tempted now...

OP posts:
ArseInTheCoOpWindow · 14/09/2023 10:28

They gave me blinding headaches

GreyBlackBay · 14/09/2023 10:32

I have 2, an original big tube one and a more modern led one. I do think they make a difference, but probably won't solve all your problems.

Sunrise alarm clocks make a massive difference to my mood, you can get pretty cheap ones now. I dont think it is so much the effect of a light but just the mood boost of not waking up in a dark room and actually being able to get out of bed. Very cheap option is to just put your bedside light on a timer,its not the same but better than nothing.

PinkFootstool · 14/09/2023 10:35

Yes they make an enormous difference to me. This is far from a "latest fad", I've been using one for over ten years now.

I use mine as my desk lamp, so I have lots of exposure to it. Before that, I had it next to my armchair in the living room and would use it before work and for a couple of hours per night.

I've only had Lumie refurbished ones and only swapped from one device to another because I wanted to be able to take mine with me when I travel for work so got a slimmer model for my suitcase. I use it in my hotel room then.

I also take high dose vitamin D.

Lottie2shoes · 14/09/2023 10:43

OK just to clarify. Wrong choice of words. I do agree they have been around for years so not the " latest" fad. But what I meant was, other than 1 person, I do not know of anyone who has any.
That one person, although she swears by it, is the type to buy any old thing as she is single and free and very open hands when it comes to spending whereas I have to be a bit more careful as I am responsible for others and I suppose we just have different lifestyles and she probably is richer than me.

Lottie2shoes · 14/09/2023 10:46

@MagpiePi Yes. That is the type that I saw! I even placed in my basket but after a lot of thought, could not justify so sadly it was removed 😔

Lottie2shoes · 14/09/2023 10:50

Not to be taking over your thread, sorry! But judging by the replies, seems like they are good investment after all.
Might go have a look again. Any particular ones?

PinkFootstool · 14/09/2023 10:52

Any by Lumie tbh, apart from the Zest. It's hard to make work and isn't as good as the Arabica or Vitamin L.

No sunlight alarm clock has worked for me - I sleep through them...

StamppotAndGravy · 14/09/2023 10:57

I have a small cheap Beuer one in my desk at work. I think it does make a difference, but I wouldn't rule out placebo effect!

Lottie2shoes · 14/09/2023 10:57

@PinkFootstool Thanks. Will look into them.

Original poster
MagpiePi · 14/09/2023 11:07

Lottie2shoes · 14/09/2023 10:46

@MagpiePi Yes. That is the type that I saw! I even placed in my basket but after a lot of thought, could not justify so sadly it was removed 😔

Haha, I did exactly the same thing!

OP posts:
Original poster
MagpiePi · 14/09/2023 11:11

StamppotAndGravy · 14/09/2023 10:57

I have a small cheap Beuer one in my desk at work. I think it does make a difference, but I wouldn't rule out placebo effect!

IKWYM about the placebo effect, and am generally very sceptical of woo therapies.

Damn, now I need to go and read up lots of scientific papers about their effectiveness!

OP posts:
KeepALowProfile · 14/09/2023 11:14

I bought one last winter as I really struggle in January and February with low mood and ability to get work done. It didn't make any difference to me. It wasn't one of the wake-up ones, just a Beurer tablet one (still cost £80) with three settings, the brightest being for 30 minutes therapy in the morning and then some lower continuous settings. I'm pretty sure it made no difference to me aside from me being down £80...

SirChenjins · 14/09/2023 11:16

I find it helps - whether or not it's placebo, I don't care! I also try and make sure I get out for a walk at lunchtime, and up my vitamin dosage. Winter is an awful time for me, so anything that I can throw at it to make it slightly more bearable is worth it.

Thatsmorethanhalf · 14/09/2023 11:20

Not much IME. I find Vitamin D during the winter more effective

Original poster
MagpiePi · 14/09/2023 11:45

It sounds like it's one of those things that you have to try to see if it helps.

OP posts:
coffeetime1 · 14/09/2023 11:48

My partner has used them for years and swears by them. I have started using them recently (I use the sunrise clock and a lamp for when I first wake) and so far so good.

CucumbersAreTheDevilsWork · 14/09/2023 11:56

I bought one last winter as I struggle with the eternal gloom. I am usually working at my desk (WFH) within 30-40 mins of waking so I switch the lamp on for 20 mins as soon as I start work. I don't know whether it was the placebo effect or maybe last winter was milder than usual, but I didn't struggle as much as I usually do. I also invested in a decent coat so that I could go out for a quick lunchtime walk in most weathers which I think also helped.

MistyTrains2 · 14/09/2023 12:02

They do work. Also take Vit D. You only need the lamp for 10 - 15 mins in the morning or it can keep you awake. What is also excellent is getting out for a walk first thing for 10-15 mins, not always possible.

There is no need to buy an expensive one, I had one I got on Ebay for a tenner until I dropped it.

Lumie alarm clocks are good too but I found it was making my sleep a bit lighter. It is good if you are actually in bed for the right amount of time in the first place. If you don't get enough sleep not so good.

BusyBees1234 · 14/09/2023 12:12

Yes they help!

I bought a Lumie from Boots last year

I can't tell you how much it helped. I woke up feeling really refreshed, I don't even feel like that in the Summer months!

It comes on gradually half an hour before you want to get up and slowly gets brighter and brighter, you can also use it for going to bed but I've not tried that