Reasonably priced lights for poor sleep?

[frivolous_fay]

Sorry, couldn't seem to come up with a succinct but relevant subject!

My partner suffers from odd sleep patterns, for example, sometimes at bedtime he just doesn't feel tired, and can't sleep... or he wakes up at 5am and can't get back to sleep. Not surprisingly, he often feels tired during the day!

I found out today that he works in a windowless office. (it used to be a cupboard, no joke) He thinks perhaps that he doesn't get enough daylight, and with winter approaching I can't see how things are going to improve.

I've seen special lamps which simulate natural light and work on timers... the ones I've seen seemed shockingly expensive - I wonder, could anyone suggest something reasonably priced that might be worth a try?

[Ted_Hutchinson]

He needs to improve the light intesity at his workplace. ANY bright light has the same impact. It is the INTENSITY the BRIGHTNESS of the light that matters.
So if he could replace the bulbs nearest to him or use a desklamp which would accept one of these (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/HELIX-BRIGHT-LIGHT-30w-150-w-SAD-CRAFT-PHOTOGRAPHY_W0QQitemZ250034886680QQihZ015QQcategor yZ1277QQtcZphotoQQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewI tem) he would feel the difference.

The light source needs to be as close as he can stand.
This type of Philips SAD LAMP Light Therapy for dark times (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Philips-SAD-LAMP-Light-Therapy-for-dark-times_W0QQitemZ270036974477QQihZ017QQcategoryZ1227 48QQtcZphotoQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem) may be worth considering. Tchibo have them from time to time for around £30ish.

Something like this light (http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10001&langId=-1&catalogId=10151&productId=163510&categoryId=33987) this may put sufficient light in the right place.

I should also point out that bright light EARLY in the day brings the melatonin cycle forward while bright light LATE in the evening sets it backwards. So as well as having bright light while at work making sure you use subdued lighting in the evening will also help.

Poor sleep is often a sign of depression and while what you are thinking makes perfect sense you may need to consider the ability to deal with stress.this study (http://nutritionj.com/content/3/1/8) shows how using a sensible amount of vitamin d3 can resolve depression.Vitamin D vs broad spectrum phototherapy in the treatment of seasonal affective disorder.
(http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=10888476&dopt=Abstract)shows how 100,000iu of vitamin d3 can make a fairly quick improvement in the situaion. Here is BIO-TECH Pharmacal Inc. (http://www.bio-tech-pharm.com/products/d35.html)The best source for Vitamin D3 Cholecalciferol.

[Savvy_Sue]

I found out today that he works in a windowless office. (it used to be a cupboard, no joke) He thinks perhaps that he doesn't get enough daylight, and with winter approaching I can't see how things are going to improve.Is his ex-cupboard adequately ventilated? Our office used to be windowless, and although it was quite large, it was really very unpleasant working in there. We've now had Velux windows put in, and the difference is astonishing - both in terms of light and ventilation!

[Sam_26]

I can recommend http://www.sad-lighthire.co.uk/ They offer hire as well as selling at reasonable prices.

They are a small local company and run by a pharmacist.

[Ted_Hutchinson]

Far cheaper to buy a facial solarium lamp (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/PHILIPS-HB175-HOME-TANNING-SOLARIUM-LAMP-SOLARIA_W0QQitemZ320034989279QQihZ011QQcategoryZ31 775QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem) such as this and swap the UVA tubes for ordinary flourescent. For £20 you would save a fortune and have a lamp giving off as many lux and the full priced SADLIGHTS.

Remember it is the INTENSITY of the brightness of the light source which causes the effect and any/every bright light source is effective.

Remember to that the sensitivity to low light is a result of low vitamin d3 status so boosting your vitamin d level will mean you can manage, as I do now, without bothering with the lightbox at all.