As the nights draw in and we’re treated to less and less daylight, it’s very common to feel more tired and less alert, or even more down or anxious. Without as much natural blue light, especially early in the morning, the mechanisms in our brain that bring us to full wakefulness don’t always get everything they need.
And without as much sunlight on our skin, we don’t produce as much vitamin D either. Vitamin D is essential for helping our bodies to absorb calcium, regulating inflammation, and supporting our immune systems and brain health.
Unfortunately, the problem is compounded by the clocks going back by an hour this weekend, affecting our circadian rhythms whilst lacking the blue light to get them back on track. For some people, these problems might turn into Seasonal Affective Disorder, a form of depression triggered by the switch to the dark, cold seasons.
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That’s where light boxes come in. These simple tools are designed to simulate sunlight in your home, triggering the same responses in the brain and on your skin as the real thing. Right now you can pick up a very highly-rated one on Amazon for just £62.99, down from £99: the Lumie Vitamin L Slim Light Box.
A certified medical device, this light box from Cambridge-based company Lumie is ideal for combatting the negative effects of reduced sunlight, as well as helping to curb SAD symptoms. By adding it to your morning routine, sitting it beside you for around half an hour, Lumie promises it’ll help you feel more awake, positive and energised. You don’t need to look directly at it as your eyes will readily absorb the light, and so it’s an ideal companion for getting ready for the day, watching TV or getting started with work.
With 10,000 lux in brightness and a rippled diffuser to limit the light’s harshness, the Vitamin L Slim Light Box has been specially designed to fit seamlessly into your routine. From over 2,200 ratings, customers have awarded an average Amazon score of 4.6 out of 5 stars, with hundreds of reviews raving about the benefits reaped from this light box.
“I would highly recommend the Lumie Vitamin L Slim Light Box to anyone suffering from the winter doldrums,” said one five-star review. “It’s a simple, effective, and oh-so-bright way to chase away the blues. Just don’t forget to wear sunglasses if you decide to get up close and personal with it.”
“If you are weather-dependent like I am, you’ll be surprised because it’s actually working,” said a review from a SAD sufferer. “I’ve been using it every morning for a week and I feel so energised compared to before. Works miracles, highly recommended.”
“I have been using this for over a week now and am very happy with the quality of the product. It’s well designed and made, as well as being compact,” added another. “It is extremely bright (as expected), but keeping it at arm’s length when using makes this manageable. It’s easy to use and has made a significant difference to my mood even in the short time that I’ve been using it.”
Of course, some users have found it less helpful than others. “Light cannot be dimmed at all and [the] light [is] too bright to look directly into,” said one three-star review, although it should be noted again that you don’t need to look directly at the lamp for the light to reach your eyes, brain and skin. Another said: “I bought it hoping it was the larger size and was disappointed by how small it is.” They added: “However, it does give off a bright working light and the build quality is good.”
If you’d like to explore alternatives, this £49.99 option at Debenhams (down from £66.99) has a more rounded form factor and comes with some white noise functions to boost relaxation. At Dunelm, you could pick up this Wellness Therapy Lamp for £38 as a cheaper alternative.