To ask if anyone uses SAD lights

[Scentsandsensible]

I’m pretty sure I suffer with SAD (quite badly) and am trying to preempt it this year. Have been researching SAD lamps but don’t really trust the reviews at the top of google. Have you used one, do they work? Any good brands etc. Or are they are rip off?

Following with interest. I’ve been looking at them and they get decent reviews but are quite pricey. A colleague got one last year and she said it helped, she’d been so bad she’d been off work with depression and this helped.

I have one but it's 10 years old so there must be a lot more current ones

I don't have SAD I have CFS (chronic fatigue syndrome) and yes it def does help. Even my DH says he feels the benefit if he's been around when it's on

Following with interest, I’ve had this conversation with my mum today as the darker damper weather sets in the familiar anxious oppressive feelings commence and I’m fed up of feeling this way

There a re just so many and reviews are a bit mixed and main “trade” reviews seem biased - would love to hear from people that have actually used them

I suffer with SAD and in the past I've found a SAD lamp really helped. I've always used Lumie ones as they were pretty much pioneers in this area.

Yes I use one and find it helps lift my mood considerably.

I put it on in the bedroom when showering so that I come back into a bright room and then dry my hair, dress and put make up on in front of it (20-30 minutes)

I go downstairs feeling energised the way I do in Summer.

Mine is a Lumie, but I have just checked and they no longer do my model.

Without going and looking.... I'm sure mine is a Lumie too....

Oh this sounds like good news - it’s a lumie I was looking at getting.

I use one from about now, every morning for 20min and sometimes a little burst in the afternoon. It helps my SAD massively I don't feel quite as down and depressed during the long dark days. Would definetly recommend.

I use a normal blue tinted ('cool') light bulb in a reading lamp for 2 hours every evening along with a magnesium supplement, and they definitely work. I have clinical depression and have been off AD's for over 2 years now.

I do. I have a neuter one from John Lewis, cost about £40. I feel it helps. Also would recommend getting out for a walk in the morning of at all possible, and the headspace app.

I dint the worst time for me is between the clocks going back and the shortest day. Hellish. Just gets darker and darker.

@inebratti - oh I have magnesium in the cupboard (can’t even remember what I bought it for). That helps too?

I had a SAD lamp which I used over winter, I now have a Lumie light clock I use every morning and it is one of the best things I've ever bought! It makes such a difference in the morning

Beurer. Not neuter.

I have never tried one but lm intrigued. SAD is definitely a thing

@OtraCosaMariposa I do get out (have a dog to walk), but haven’t tried headspace. I’m usually a bit “grin and bear it” but this year am taking a proactive approach.

I literally am a different person in the darker months - I cry, get given beta blockers for stress etc - yet am fine once the spring comes around.

Mines called a daylight it was a gift one of the best gifts ever. (Amazon I believe)

This is so encouraging think I wil order tomorrow

If you do decide to buy a Lumie, buy it direct from Lumie as they don't charge you VAT if you're a SAD sufferer so it's cheaper to buy direct from them.

Neither of my Lumie models are still made but I'm tempted to buy a new one which would be this:

www.lumie.com/collections/sad-lights/products/vitamin-l

Lumie lamp and clock with light too. Gently wakes you up and it all feels ‘normal’!! Other main light during the day for a burst too. Plus I try to be outside in light (even overcast) for 15 mins solid every day all winter. If I’m working at home and it’s clear and cool I just wrap up and sit outside with my brew for a bit. Just doing that makes a big difference for me.

Clinical depression doesn't respond to placebos, but even if magnesium or a lamp only has a placebo effect for you it can't do any harm.

You really don't need an expensive lamp or bulb, just a normal lamp with a cool blue tint bulb and a timer will do the same thing.

I had one but it always gave headaches (as does bright summer sunshine to be fair, I just didn't consider that possibility) so I sold it.

Daylight bulbs aren't the same though. They are great, but a light box gives you that intensity of light like a bright summer day.

My Gp told me there's no medical proof that it works. But if I feel it's helping me, to crack on.

Another thing which helps me is dreaming up creative deaths for people who use words like hygge, snuggly or cosy. (Only half joking)

@OtraCosaMariposa Another thing which helps me is dreaming up creative deaths for people who use words like hygge, snuggly or cosy.

Clinical depression is well known to respond to placebos!
John Lewis will allow you to claim back the VAT as well.