Daylight lamp for depression: Effect simply explained

Light therapy can help with depression, among other things. We explain the effect of a daylight lamp in our practical tip

Effect of a daylight lamp on depression

Depression is a mental disorder that strongly affects the mind and body. Fatigue, lack of joy, lack of interest and sleep disturbances, among other things, can be the result. If you experience these symptoms over a long period of time, talk about them with friends and seek professional help.

• Not only seasonal affective disorder (SAD), which we know as winter depression, can be treated with the help of a daylight lamp. This form of depression is a kind of energy-saving mode for the body that occurs more frequently in the low-light winter months. In its symptoms it is very similar to depression.
• The cause is a change in the metabolism, especially the serotonin-melatonin balance. This becomes unbalanced during the dark season – in favour of the sleep hormone melatonin.
• Sunlight has a positive effect on serotonin levels. This “happiness hormone” makes us feel active. We feel good and are full of energy.
• When the days get shorter and the amount of light decreases, we have more melatonin in our bodies. It makes us sleep better and depresses our mood.

Using the daylight lamp

A daylight lamp provides at least 2,500 LUX and lasts up to 10,000 LUX. For comparison, normal room lighting has an intensity between 300 to 500 LUX.

• This special light imitates the brightness of the sun. It enters the body through the retina of our eyes. Light therapy for the treatment of depression (also winter depression) literally brightens the mood. This is because the white-blue light of the daylight lamp causes the release of serotonin in the body.

• To benefit from the effect of a daylight lamp, you do not have to sit in front of it all the time. It is sufficient if you are close by and keep looking into it. However, distances greater than one metre already dampen the effect.

• The best time for this therapy is in the morning between seven and ten o’clock. An earlier time could disrupt the day-night rhythm and reverse the effect.

• If you use 10,000 LUX, half an hour before the daylight lamp is sufficient. As the intensity decreases, adjust the times accordingly.
• We have already compared three of these light lamps for you.