light boxes

I don't know how effective they are either. However Netto are selling them for £29.99 Here

Hi

I suffer from clinical depression and find it worse once the days get shorter. I no longer use medication but do need some help over the winter. I bought a SAD light a couple of years ago.

I try and use it for about half an hour a day, preferably 1st thing in the morning or even when i'm sat at the computer.

I've definitely found it's helped and the depression hasn't got really bad nor have i had to go back on medication. I also try and get out into the natural daylight as often as possible.

The one i use is made by RIO
http://www.lightmask.com/SADlamp.htm

I bought it from a shopping channel for about £59

On a similar theme, I've heard that you can get alarm clocks that wake you up by simulating sunrise, instead of jolting you out of bed with 600 decibels.
Has anyone seen these, and are they any good?. Googled them, but didn't come up with anything.

i was definitely a bit sceptical wehn i bought it, but thought anything was worth a go. Plus it was on a 30 day money back trial from Ideal World, so at least i could send it back!

I'd read quite a bit about them and how light stimulates the levels of seretonin, plus i knew i always felt slightly better if i'd been outside during the autumn or winter.

Having been on high doses of anti depressents in the past i really wanted to avoid medication as much as possible.

If i have time in the morning i try and wake up about half an hour earlier than i need and then lie in bed with it on, then get up. Plus it's quite a nice slow gentle way to get up in a morning!

I've definitley found it works, and with the clocks changing 2moro, i'll definitely be putting it on over the next week.

jackieb wrote:

I saw Dr Hilary talking about them on GMTV this week. He said the light hits the back of the eyes and makes you produce the serotonin. He was positive about the benefits of them. He also said to go out as much as possible in the middle of the day.

Didn't see him this week, but he does tend to talk a lot of sense.

Got to admit there's nothing nicer than walking in the sunshine on a cold winters day, so obviously must be a combination of the sun and the exercise. Only problem is when you're feeling down it's really difficult to motivate yourself to get outside. At least with a light box can watch the tv at the same time as being in the warm:rotfl: