SAD lights and lumie

[Bubbles254]

I purchased a SAD light last week (lumie vitamin L) as I find the winter weather affects my mood and energy.

I have been using it per instructions for around 45 minutes to 1 hour at arms length on my desk at 9am on the 3 days a week I work.

I have not noticed any impact other than that on these days I have found it much harder to get to sleep at night, I am more restless during the night and early waking at 4am. The days I did not use it I slept normally.

Have other people experienced this? Do I just need to give it longer for my body to adjust or should I return it?

Yes. You only need about 10-15 minutes I would say in the morning. Maybe put it to the side not in direct vision line.

The other way of using it would be to put it on a timer and have it turn on just before your alarm to gently wake you up, Lumie clocks work that way and you wake up refreshed.

You could also try using it earlier in the day. Daylight in the morning essentially helps regulate your circadian rhythm, so maybe your 10 mins at 7.30am etc.

That is interesting thanks. I am wondering if it is not suitable for me though as I tend to go to bed and wake up naturally at a really early hour even in the winter but get low mood and tired in the afternoon.

I tend to be either exercising or running round getting everyone ready for school between 6.30 and 9am so don't really have much time to use it then (could possibly fit in 15 min when eating breakfast).

What would be optimum timing for improving mood and afternoon tiredness without affecting nighttime sleep (although I would quite like to wake later)?

IDK, if you use it in the afternoon it will keep you up! Maybe try the 10 mins thing and earlier if you can.