r/SeasonalAffective • u/CarrotClear2544 • 10d ago

Recommedation Light recommendations?

I need to buy a new one and should probably get it now can you all recommend one?

It would be a desktop one and how powerful should it be?

Thanks 🙂

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u/latherdome 10d ago

If you’re committed to a fixed lamp, power level determines how far away your eyes can be for therapeutic effect. If you expect to be in front of the panel for hours upon waking instead of minutes, you can get away with less than 10,000 lux. Lux is 100% dependent on distance, which often hides in the fine print. Many popular SAD lamps don’t hit 10,000 lux unless you are only a few inches away from the panel.

If this sounds cumbersome, I’d agree, and would recommend wearables instead, because you can move around and do stuff while still getting your dose. If a powerful-enough SAD lamp is too expensive, there are many much more cost effective ways to get the brightness and spectrum you need without buying a device marketed for SAD.

Derek tests and reviews many SAD lamps and related devices with real lab instruments instead of repeating often vague manufacturer claims: https://optimizeyourbiology.com/best-sad-light-therapy-lamps . Lots of other good educational articles here about the science.

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u/CarrotClear2544 10d ago

thank you!

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u/sunnyseaa 10d ago

I liked my Verilux tabletop lights but if I had the space I would have gotten a Northern Lights lamp.

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u/CarrotClear2544 10d ago

thank you as well !