The Wonder of Light Therapy

Welcome to our website which will give you more information on Seasonal Affective Disorder, S.A.D. or the Winter Blues and how to alleviate the symptoms with light therapy.

The nomenclature S.A.D. was first coined by Dr Norman Rosenthal.  He and Dr Al Lewy were two of the original researchers to study this condition.  Their research showed that showed that bright light therapy and lightboxes were useful in the treatment of S.A.D. with response rates of up to 90%.   

The first lightboxes used full spectrum lights which also included the UV content.  The lights that we use in our lightboxes have the full spectrum of colour but without the UV content, which means that you get the benefit of bright light  therapy that is the closest possible to daylight. 

What is Seasonal Affective Disorder, or the Winter Blues?

Seasonal Affective Disorder or SAD has a lot in common with the hibernation cycle of animals and research has shown that this is triggered by a response to decreasing light levels. As the days grow shorter and the light becomes less intense, it increases the desire to 'hibernate'.

Light intensity is measured in 'lux' the Latin word for light. On a summer's day at our latitude we may have up to 16 hours of daylight at 100,000 lux. In winter an 8 hour dull day will give less than 5,000 lux and indoor lighting rarely exceeds 500 lux.

Lack of light causes an increase in the production of Melatonin (the hormone that makes us sleepy at night), and a reduction of Serotonin, the lack of which causes depression. The exposure to bright light therapy reverses the process, and makes the brain think that it has summer time levels of light.

Historically, treatment for depression involved the use of drugs. However, research in both the USA and UK showed that SAD sufferers responded, often quite dramatically, to Bright Light Treatment. Lightboxes for S.A.D. should have a light level of more than 2,500 lux, the level that changes the chemical balance in the brain.  All our fully proven lightboxes have been specifically designed and manufactured to give 10,000 lux the ‘Gold Standard’ for lightboxes, and are a recognised method of alleviating the symptoms of S.A.D.

Light therapy using lightboxes is increasingly being used to reset our body clocks natural rhythms - no matter why they've been put off track. At any time of year all kinds of things can upset our rhythms like working in artificial light, jet lag or shift work. In addition, the onset of winter can leave us feeling gloomy and short of energy typical symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder or S.A.D.  Light therapy and using a lightbox offers you the chance to regain a happier mood and brighter outlook without drugs.  Depending on which lightbox you chose treatment can be as little as 20 minutes a day with the Diamond 4 or Diamond 5 lightbox, or if you can use one on your desk the LitePod can be used for a minimum of 45 minutes to an hour.

Why not take advantage of our SAD Lightbox 30 day money-back guarantee and light up your life today?

You should start to feel the benefit within 7-14 days of using a lightbox. With our 30 day home trial scheme you have ample time to evaluate the lightbox treatment for yourself.

By using a lightbox to provide summertime levels of light we crave during the winter you can successfully alleviate the symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder with the result that former sufferers can lead a normal, happier life and beat the Winter Blues.

In fact almost everyone can benefit from increased energy level when using a lightbox.

How to choose a lightbox

To be effective a lightbox must emit a minimum of 2,500 lux, recent studies use 10,000 lux lightboxes which give a quick, effective treatment time. All the lightboxes we manufacture emit 10,000 lux, the difference between them is the distance at which this level of light is achieved. 

Light therapy should be taken as early as possible when you get up, so use your lightbox at breakfast or when you are getting ready for work, this will top up your light levels and help to keep you going through the day.

The most important thing is to be realistic about the amount of time you want to use the lightbox, if you cannot use it at work and need to use it before you leave in the morning then the Diamond 4 or Diamond 5 lightbnoxes give a quick treatment.  The benefit of these lightboxes is that they give a larger spread of light and you can move around in a large area and as long as your eye can pick up the light you will be getting a treatment.  So, if you have to get out of the house in a rush then you need a lightbox with more lights that will give a quicker treatment time such as the Diamond 4 or Diamond 5 are the quickest to use.

However, if you are at home for longer periods during the day or can put a lightbox on your desk then one that you can use for longer is just as effective such as the LitePod which has been specially developed for use at work.  If you can use your lightbox on your desk during the day then the LitePod is the ideal model.

Obviously if you are travelling then the LitePod or goLITE Blu are the best choices.

How to use a lightbox for Seasonal Affective Disorder or S.A.D. 

Research shows that it is best to use it as early as possible when you get up in the morning. You can use your lightbox while you’re getting dressed, having breakfast or making the lunch boxes for the children to take to school. Alternatively, with a LitePod you can use it on your desk for most of the day.

If you are about an arms distance away from your lightbox and the light can travel into your eye then the light will be working. You can also leave the lightbox on for longer should you wish to.

We recommend that you should not use a lightbox within 4 hours of bedtime as you need the melatonin to build up towards bedtime to give you a good nights sleep.

N.B. You don't have to stare at the lightbox, just glance at it from time to time, your eye and the intensity of the light will do the rest.

For information on how to use a lightbox for ME please click here

Why Full Spectrum Lighting and SAD Lightbox Company

As you probably guessed from the name, we originally started as a lighting company and importer of specialised daylight and full spectrum lighting.

We were approached by the Maudsley and Charing Cross hospitals to use this specialist lighting in their first trial installations for treating SAD.  This was so successful that it was decided to design and build smaller units that could be used at home and so the SAD part of the company was born. 

We have now been designing and manufacturing lightboxes specifically for Seasonal Affective Disorder and SAD for over 20 years!

We have recently relocated to Lewknor, just across the border into Oxfordshire, and we have moved our production facility here, as all the lightboxes are manufactured in the UK.

• As the pioneers of light therapy for home use, we also supply NHS hospitals and clinics throughout the country.
• We were the first company registered with the Medical Devices Agency as a certified manufacturer of light therapy equipment as required by European Union legislation: Medical Devices Directive EC93/42, Medical Electrical Requirements for General Safety EN 60601-1:2006, Medical Electrical Requirements for Safety EMC EN 60601-1-2:2002. Luminarie Standard EN 60598-2-4:1997, EN 60598-1:2003
• We were the first UK lightbox manufacturer to gain ISO13485 quality certification and are independently audited every year to ensure we maintain the highest standards.
• We are well-respected within the light therapy research community. Please contact us if you need light therapy equipment for research purposes.
• All our products are designed based on published scientific findings and sound evidence of safety. They are independently tested by FIMKO to ensure they comply with EC regulations.
• Our SAD Lightboxes are all fully certified to the Medical Devices Directive EC93/42 tested and certified by Notified body SGS 0120.
• We pioneered the 28 day Home Trial system, so you can see if light therapy works for you without a big financial risk.
• All our light boxes are guaranteed for 3 years, the DawnLite Natural Alarm Clock for 2 years.

Please contact our helpful and experienced staff who will be happy to assist you should you have any questions. Call us on 0845 095 6433.