Winter blues are real, the cold weather doesn’t just bring along a chill in the air, it also brings decreases the pep in our step we might have in summer.
What is SAD?
Seasonal affective disorder has been recognised as a medical condition since the 1990s, the NHS estimates that around one in 15 people in the UK are affected by SAD between September and April, and symptoms can increase during December, January and February.
Women are four times more likely to be affected than men and are more at risk if they are between the ages of 18 and 30, as well as having family history of depression, bipolar disorder or SAD.
What causes sad?
LloydsPharmacy pharmacist Pareena Patel states:
“Natural daylight helps reduce or stop the production of melatonin which regulates our circadian rhythm; lack of light in winter can increase melatonin production in the body which can in-turn make us feel more lethargic and craving sleep, leading to low moods.”
Symptoms
There’s quite a few ways SAD can present itself, symptoms include a loss of pleasure or interest in normal activities and feeling irritable. You might also notice you’re struggling to get up in the mornings, or experience anxiety, panic attacks, or stress.
What can you do about it?
It’s pretty simple, light therapy. SAD lamps (that are certified) stimulate your retinas which sends loads of hormones to your brain, helping to lift and light your mood.
We’ve rounded up some of the top models out there worthing considering for winter.
Best SAD lamps to help you survive the winter months
1. Beurer TL20 SAD Lamp
This SAD lamp from Beurer is one of the top choices for affordability and size.
It has been specifically designed to allow you to enjoy the simulation of sunlight even during the darkest of days – thanks to an impressive 10,000 lux.
It’s compact, practical and versatile enough to give you the light you need anywhere in the home or office.
Price: £54.99, Lloyds Pharmacy – buy here now
2. Hosome SAD Lamp
Weighing just 1.5lbs, Hosome’s SAD lamp is perfect for smaller spaces and easily transported around.
There’s 10,000 lux, with an option of three colour settings and a built in automatic timer with four modes.
You can use the light standing or mounted on a wall.
Price: £40.59, Amazon – buy here now
3. Lumie Sunrise Alarm Wake up to Daylight Table Lamp
If waking up is your main problem, take the grog out of the mornings and wake up pleasantly to a combination of sound and soothing light.
Helping to wake you up naturally 30 minutes before your alarm i set to alert, you’ll wake up to a gradually and soft light. There’s 12 different colours as well as dimming features to help you get to sleep.
The added bonus is the choice of natural sounds to wake up to.
Price: £31.99, John Lewis – buy here now
4. SAD Solutions Mini DAYlight SAD Light
Affordable, sleek in style and boasting all of the credentials to complete a treatment in as little as 30 minutes.
There’s a soft glare, with 10,000 lux (the most powerful). It also weighs under a pound.
Price: £37.45, SAD – buy here now
5. Lumie Vitamin L
Perfect for on the go light therapy, Lumie’s super compact Vitamin L is nice and versatile, as well as being energy efficient.
It boasts 10,000 lux and has cool LED light’s behind a rippled diffuser, giving you a comfortable exposure. It can be positioned in either a landscape or portrait mode, and is the ideal side for bedside or desk use.
Price: £90, Amazon – buy here now
6. Lumie DESKLAMP
A great addition to any office, or working from home set up during the colder winter months.
With a flexible head, it’s a good idea for desk work, or tasks where concentration is required. Again, the lamp boasts an efficient 10,000 lux and is recommended between 30 and 60 minutes to start with.
Price: £115.19, Amazon – buy here now
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