The modern lifestyle involves spending less time outdoors than our ancestors did. Around 200 years ago most more than half of the population of the world worked outside from the break of dawn till sunset but nowadays, especially during winter months, people go to work or go home when it is dark outside. Since we have electricity, daily activities can continue till late in the night and that affected our body’s ability to regulate causing numerous light deficiency symptoms and that’s the reason so many people suffer from SAD or Seasonal Affective Disorder.
Seasonal Affective Disorder Symptoms
- Irritability;
- Low energy;
- Hypersensitivity;
- Oversleeping in people who suffer from fall and winter SAD and insomnia in people who suffer from spring and summer SAD;
- Food cravings and, as a result, weight gain in people who suffer from fall and winter SAD and people who suffer from spring and summer SAD experience poor appetite and weight loss;
- Depression;
- Anxiety.
People turn to light therapy in order to combat SAD and all its symptoms. Traditionally, light therapy used white light (full spectrum) boxes to replicate sunlight and to combat the symptoms experienced by people who were not exposed to enough sunlight. But lately, thanks to advancement in technology, it was proven that blue light is also effective for treating SAD. For the best results, it is recommended to use both white and blue light. People can use LED light boxes or traditional tube bulb devices for light therapy.
SAD Light
SAD Light is a light treatment device designed to treat SAD by directly treating the cause of the disorder. These devices are registered as medical devices since they treat a medical disorder.
LED Light Therapy
LED Light Therapy is an effective way to combat SAD but only if you buy the LED light devices from a reputable manufacturer. There are some fake LED light devices on the market that can be dangerous since they do not produce the correct amount of light needed to treat SAD effectively.
Dawn Simulator
Dawn Simulators are not SAD Light but they can treat some of the symptoms of SAD. These simulators are basically waking devices that allow people to wake gently from their sleep. Some Dawn Simulators offer users a Sunset simulation to aid sleep.
Even though these products are amazing and they can help who suffer from SAD, they shouldn’t be confused with SAD Lights since they do not treat the root cause of SAD as SAD Light. However, Dawn Simulators promote good sleep and allow people to wake up more naturally in the mornings and to fall asleep during the night. Since most people who suffer from SAD have problems with waking up and falling asleep, Dawn Simulators can help them tremendously, especially if they are used as a complementary treatment for SAD Light treatment.
If you want to use Dawn Simulators, use them for waking up and for falling asleep (only if the Dawn Simulator also has a sunset simulation option) then use traditional tube bulb devices or LED Light device 30 minutes after you wake up for the best results.