Hey, Friend. I think of all humans as solar-powered. Solar panels harness the energy of the sun to produce power. When it’s dark and gloomy, they will operate at reduced efficiency. Heck, even if you ADOOOOORE winter, and skiing, and all winter-things, you are often DONE with winter by the time the end of February rolls around. You are ready for some sunshine! And if you are anything like me, that solar battery is starting to run out of juice by .. oh I don’t know… November? lol This is where the “happy lamps” come in. A happy light is the endearing short form for light therapy lamp, which is a specifically designed lamp that mimics natural sunlight. It's used to combat symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and other conditions (some sleep disorders, non-seasonal depression and premenstrual dysphoric disorder) where lack of sunlight affects one's mood and energy. Unlike regular lamps, a happy light delivers a brighter and broader spectrum of light, typically around 10,000 lux, which is close to the intensity of sunlight on a clear day. If you struggle with energy drop and mood drop in the darker months, and have never tried using one, this is me begging you to do it THIS winter in my best “mom voice”. I’ll even call you “honey”, if you want. Light therapy lamps are well-researched, have very few downsides and MANY upsides, and are the first-line solution for seasonal droopiness (that’s the technical term). But, the choice is overwhelming (as with everything these days), and these lamps are NOT all made equal. Size matters. [No, really.] Brand matters. Here’s a quick 7-minute video with a few tips on choosing your lamp and using your lamp:
Here are the two brands I mentioned in the video:
Hugs,
