Light therapy is an incredibly popular method of therapy that is used for a variety of reasons. Let’s take a look at some of the best sun lamps out there.
The use of sun lamps is often referred to as “light therapy” by doctors. It is the people who suffer from SAD who are the most likely among us to use sun lamps which are also sometimes called light boxes.
SAD is one kind of depression. It usually tends to happen during the late months of fall and winter. People who do experience this type of depression usually notice it going away on its own or is noticeably less severe during the months of spring and summer.
Another group of people who can very much use sun lamps as well is those who lack Vitamin D. Vitamin D is very important to the overall functioning of our bodies. It helps the nervous system, the muscles, and also the immune system in order for them to function properly. Vitamin D also helps with the absorption of calcium that the bones of the body need in order to keep them healthy.
Normally, people will get all the vitamin D that they need from the sun and their diet. However, there are people who do not get enough exposure to the sun. There are also those who have bodies that do not absorb this vitamin from their diet. These two groups run the risk of developing a Vitamin Deficiency. When it is children develop this deficiency, they usually get crickets. When adults develop this deficiency, they develop weakness and pain in the muscles and bones.
It is also not at all uncommon to use sun lamps for sleep disorders or depression. Let us take a look at how sun lamps work and give you a few suggestions.
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How do sun lamps work?
It is recommended to get sunlight for a variety of reasons. It has the very real potential to affect the natural daily cycles of the body which is also known as the circadian rhythm of the body. This can have quite an impact on how people feel, what time they go to sleep, and also what time they wake up.
Sunlight is essential for the body in being able to produce the hormones it needs in order to function at full capacity. A good example of this is serotonin. This has an influence on both mood and also melatonin which really does help with the sleep patterns a person has. The skin also makes use of sunlight in order to produce this vitamin, Vitamin D.
The way that these sun lamps or light boxes work is by emulating the effects of sunlight. It may be recommended by doctors that those who suffer from SAD sit by a sun lamp that has the potential to provide 10,000 lux for about 30 minutes a day. Doctors normally recommend conducting this sun lamp session as soon as possible after the person wakes up.
There is some evidence that does point to there being a lot of benefits to using light therapy, but scientists, as of yet, are still not completely sure if they work or not. Also, this type of therapy is not right for everyone. The people who should not undergo this therapy are people who are sensitive to light, suffer from bipolar disorder, diabetes or some type of condition of the eye.
It is also highly advisable to only use sunlight and light therapy that gives off a fluorescent light and not one with any harmful UV rays. UV light has the very real ability to damage the skin and can potentially even lead to cancer.
If, however, you are using a sunlamp in order to help their skin make more vitamin D, UVB is of the utmost importance. It is highly recommended that you consult your doctor before getting a sun lamp and starting light therapy.
Verilux HappyLight Luxe
This is a company that sells a wide range of HappyLight products. These are devices that provide full-spectrum and also completely UV-free light. The light that is given off is of 10,000 lux intensity.
These devices are normally portable and they also usually come with color temperatures that are adjustable. It normally also includes a timer and the ability to choose from four different levels of brightness. A lot of people who have used this product, report improved mood, sleep patterns and also energy levels.
Aura Day Light Lamp
This light therapy lamp, the Aura Day Light Lamp, is a device that has a light output that is adjustable and is also free from UV. It can be set anywhere from 3,500 to 10,000 lux according to the preferences of the user.
This device can be mounted on the wall and it also has the ability to automatically shut off after use. It has been designed to help boost mood and also to improve concentration, focus and energy as well.
Philips SmartSleep Light Therapy Lamps
These light therapy lamps were designed especially for those people who have issues with going to sleep and also difficulties with waking up.
The way these lamps help the body prepare for sleep is by simulating the sunset. It does this by gradually decreasing the light and also the sound in the room. In the morning, it is the complete opposite. The laps do the same but in reverse and try to stimulate the sunrise as well.
A lot of the users of this product have reported that it does help them to go to sleep and to also wake up a lot more naturally than before they were using the product. As a result of this, they also report feeling much more energetic throughout the day.
