Now that winter is here (and it’s FREEZING), the best SAD lamps are out in full force. Why? Because with the darker nights comes a lower vitamin D intake and, unfortunately, that can often mean low moods and reduced energy levels.
The days are so short right now, with the sun setting at a firm 4pm (instead of staying up past nine like it does in summer), and that’s only going to get earlier and earlier until the 21st December – we’re so close! With that in mind, I’m on the hunt for anything and everything that can help keep my Seasonal Affective Disorder at bay.
Don’t get me wrong, autumn and winter are my favourite times of year for all the cosy winter coats, snuggly throw blankets, scented candles and knitwear… but I still get a little down in the dumps for lack of vitamin D (and ice lollies). I’m prone to a self-care day full of face masks and bubble baths, and they normally do the trick, but when I’m feeling really blue I reach for an SAD lamp, so here’s my pick of the bunch…
Best SAD lamps at a glance :
Beurer TL 50 SAD Therapy Light, £79.99, John Lewis
2. Lumie Desklamp Touch Dimmable SAD Light, £144, John Lewis
3. Lumie Vitamin L Slim SAD Light, £99, John Lewis
SAD lamp benefits & do SAD lamps really work?
Some swear by SAD lamps, some say they’re ineffective. There’s mixed evidence whether they do or don’t work, but studies show that – if used first thing in the morning – they can really help. They simulate sunlight which helps to trigger your brain’s serotonin (the feel-good hormone) and can help adjust your circadian rhythm (the body’s process for regulating your sleep-wake cycle).
Do SAD lamps help with vitamin D?
An SAD lamp works the same as the sun does; it emits broad-spectrum light which is what helps your skin to produce vitamin D. A lack of vitamin D is thought to play a role in SAD, so using a lamp can improve your symptoms.
According to other research, however, some sun lamps used for SAD can filter out most or all ultraviolet (UV) light and therefore will not impact your vitamin D levels – so do your research on which one you’re buying.
What is the best SAD lamp on the market?
Lumie is a well-respected brand in the SAD lamp industry, with plenty of different varieties to suit your needs and preferences. The Vitamin L Slim SAD Light is one of their bestsellers and you can sit it portrait or landscape and really soak up the benefits from every angle. Likewise, Beurer sells a wide range of SAD lamps from the TL70 Daylight Slimline version to the TL55 Portable Therapy Light.