No, light therapy isn’t a pointless fad! It has proven its worth, and its benefits are numerous and very real. Some of us are particularly sensitive to light. We feel a certain well-being in the sun during the warmer months and are much more tired and depressed during the colder months.
Light therapy can address numerous problems, some of them quite surprising. If so many civilizations have worshipped the sun throughout human history, there’s a reason! Here is a non-exhaustive list of the benefits of light therapy lamps.
Against seasonal depression
It is estimated that about one in five people suffers from seasonal affective disorder (SAD). When autumn arrives, almost everyone experiences a slight dip in well-being. It’s often temporary, but some people struggle to adjust to the lack of sunlight, and depression sets in. Irritability, mood swings, insomnia, or hypersomnia are common symptoms of this condition.
A course of light therapy is therefore an ideal way to recharge our batteries and regain our strength. Light effectively blocks the secretion of melatonin, the sleep hormone, and thus regulates our internal clock.
Against chronic fatigue
Whether your job is physically or psychologically exhausting, it will inevitably lead to brain fatigue. Light therapy works similarly to seasonal affective disorder (SAD), boosting your energy. You’ll stop feeling drowsy during the day and regain your vitality and motivation.
Ideal for jet lag
Frequent travelers know that after a stay in a country far from home, jet lag can be difficult to manage. You might feel sleepy in the middle of the afternoon and be wide awake at 3 a.m.
It’s both stressful for the nervous system and for the body as a whole. If you’re still on vacation, it’s not a big deal, but if you have to work, it can affect your productivity. Thirty minutes of light therapy at sunrise will help you get back on track more easily. While it typically takes four to six days to recover from jet lag, it will only take one to two days with a light therapy lamp. Some airports even now offer light therapy sessions.
To help night workers
If you work nights, you’re probably lacking light. Even if you don’t necessarily realize it, your body suffers from this shift work. Ideally, you should sit in front of a light therapy lamp for a few dozen minutes before going to work, and if possible, do another session during your break. You’ll then feel much less tired.
Against behavioral disorders
Behavioral problems are often linked to emotions. They are emotional disturbances with diverse origins. Lack of self-confidence, a complicated love life, unsatisfying social relationships, or even a disappointing professional career—the reasons for feeling unwell are numerous.
Light therapy isn’t a magic cure, but it can help many people feel better and see life in a new light. Recharging our batteries with light can help overcome some emotional issues, or at least make them easier to cope with.
Conclusion
Light therapy has many benefits. It can also be used by athletes to improve concentration, to combat alcoholism, to avoid computer vision syndrome, or even to help people suffering from certain chronic disorders.
This alternative therapy is increasingly used, and new possibilities and benefits are discovered every year. Some people less sensitive to light may find it difficult to feel the effects of a treatment, while others will feel much better after just a few sessions.
