January might feel like the longest month of the year - and there's a reason for it. Winter brings shorter days, longer nights and a drop in temperature. It's no surprise, then, that our mood can seriously be affected, and getting out of bed, while always a tedious task, now feels like an Olympic sport. But, it's not all doom and gloom. A recent emerging trend in light treatment for those with Seasonal Affective Disorder (also known as SAD) has seen people using SAD lamps as a form of therapy, with great benefits to beat those dreaded 'winter blues'.
While it's always recommended to seek the advice of a medical professional beforehand, more of us are beginning to turn to methods of self-help. SAD lamps are hailed for their supposed 'mood-boosting' effects, and more than that, light treatment therapy comes recommended by Dr Lauren Hamilton at Victor & Garth, who suggests that improvements can be seen after just one or two weeks of continued use.
With the latest wellness trends and beauty tech devices seeing us well into the new year, LED face masks can also be used as a light therapy treatment so that you can reap the skin benefits, too.
How Do SAD Lamps Work?
Melatonin is a hormone produced by the pineal gland which responds to darkness by causing you to feel tired. As winter days become darker, melatonin production increases and, in response, those with Seasonal Affective Disorder can feel sleepy, lethargic and depressed during changing seasons.
Therefore, it's assumed that introducing more light to mimic natural daylight can curb these negative effects. UK mental health charity, Mind, explains that 'when light hits the back of your eye, messages go to the part of your brain that controls sleep, appetite, sex drive, temperature, mood and activity.' It's said that SAD lamps might help to regulate the body's natural circadian rhythms.
Keeping that in mind, here are the best SAD lamps to boost mood, improve symptoms - and get you through those long winter days.
SHOP: The Best SAD Lamps To Boost Your Mood This Winter
John Lewiswww.johnlewis.com
Beurer is a brand at the forefront of creating some of the best SAD lamps. Currently popular over at John Lewis, the medically certified TL 50 SAD Therapy Light may help to lift your mood, enhance your focus and increase your motivation through its LED technology.
Customer review: "Bought this suffering badly from SAD, and been using a couple of hours each morning and definitely can feel it waking you up and giving you energy. It's quite large, so not that portable, but the light is incredible and enough to light a room."
Holland And Barrettwww.hollandandbarrett.com
Completing your office desk setup in style, the Perfect Day Daylight Therapy Lamp TL45 will brighten your mood as well as your room. Select from three modes to simulate sunrise, peak daylight, and sunset to encourage natural rhythms and functioning.
Customer review: "I often used to find myself struggling to stay awake and felt very sluggish in the day but this light makes me feel alert and energetic. It has touch buttons and 3 colour modes, Therapy, Active and Relax and colour temperature. Therapy mode is very bright and illuminating and this piece of equipment really does boost my mood. On the days I use this, I find myself with more energy in the evenings at home too. I suffer from SAD most winters and this has definitely had an impact on my wellbeing. I use this lamp pretty much all day at work.”
Current Bodywww.currentbody.com
Kate Moss was spotted lying under the Dermalux Flex MD LED Light Therapy Device during fashion week to give her skin an instant rejuvenating boost before shooting a killer campaign or walking a catwalk. This device can be used to treat the face as well as areas of the body with the combined power of blue, red and infrared light.
Customer review: "I ordered this device for my Christmas present, and have been using this every night for the last two months, I can see my skin getting better and brighter. Will keep using it. Love this and worth the money."
John Lewiswww.johnlewis.com
Quickly selling out at John Lewis, the Beurer TL 30 Ultra Daylight SAD Light is a reasonably priced option for at-home light therapy. The adjustable stand allows you to position the light horizontally or vertically, while its sleek design and included protective pouch make it easy to take from place to place.
Customer review: "Good to help SAD symptoms. Small and unobtrusive, good for home and office environment."
5.
Lumie Task
AmazonTask by Lumie is the perfect addition to your home if you're a lover of Scandi-inspired décor. Choose from golden yellow, sage green, mist white or charcoal blue. Designed especially to mimic natural daylight and 'provide winter blues relief', the stylish Lumie Task will look ideal on your desk, bookshelf or bedside table.
Customer review: "Great for working from home in winter. Has definitely helped me avoid those winter lows and actually allowed me to complete some pretty long days without feeling tired. You definitely notice it makes you feel physically different."
6.
Lumie Brazil
AmazonThere are a few variations of Lumie favourites, including the Brazil, the Halo and Vitamin L. Lumie's Brazil provides light all year round, designed as a light treatment therapy for SAD. Despite being larger in design, the lightbox is sleek, sophisticated - and definitely not an eyesore.
Customer review: "I love my Brazil light. It goes on first thing in the morning when we wake, I’ve definitely noticed a huge improvement in my mood in the mornings now they are getting much darker. Well worth the investment."
John Lewiswww.johnlewis.com
An office-appropriate design, the Lumie Desklamp Touch is a dimmable lamp with touch control and an adjustable neck. A solution for all your home lighting needs, it features blue-enriched white LEDs to boost your level of energy - especially first thing in the morning.
Customer review: "My daughter is delighted with this product as it doubles as SAD light and a desk lamp meaning she can use it as both without moving. Very well designed, functional and attractive."
Urban Outfitterswww.urbanoutfitters.com
Urban Outfitters also stock the Lumie Vitamin L SAD Light - along with other LED therapy tools to target the 'winter blues'. This lamp incorporates a ripple diffuser that makes for a soft and comfortable shine. It's recommended to sit in front of the lamp for half an hour each morning to see its' full benefits.
Customer review: "I can confidently say that the Lumie Vitamin L Light Box has drastically improved my mornings and overall well-being. As someone who suffers from Seasonal Affective Disorder (S.A.D), this light box has been a game-changer for me."
John Lewiswww.johnlewis.com
Though it may be small, the Philips Hye White and Colour Ambiance Bloom LED Smart Table Lap offers a powerful light. Designed with an integrated LED, select from pure white or a range of colours to create an ambience. What's more, use it with Bluetooth or other compatible devices for easier control.
Customer review: "You can practically have any colour you want and customise the brightness level allowing you to set the mood. The preset colours and timer functions are amazing. You can use the timer to slowly dim the light before sleep. Similarly, the light can fade in at a set time ideal before your alarm in the morning. You can also group other hue products to your room when using preset colours which will automatically change the colour on your other lamps and adjust the brightness to suit your selection."
What is Seasonal Affective Disorder?
Mind explains that Seasonal Affective Disorder is 'a type of depression that you experience during particular seasons or times of year'. Depression is a low mood that lasts for a long time and affects your everyday life. It can have an impact on your level of functioning and come with various symptoms such as lack of energy, difficulty concentrating, mood swings and more.
Samantha Price is a Beauty, Fashion & Wellness Product Writer for Grazia. With two years of experience at Bauer, she has worked on several projects, from championing newsletters to writing expertly crafted buying guides.