Is your well-being affected as the weather changes from summer to autumn and winter? According to research by the Weather Channel, 29% of the UK population suffer from a degree of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Women are 50% more likely to self-report Seasonal SAD than men and 40% of people in the UK suffer from fatigue during the winter months. 57% of adults say their overall mood gets worse in the winter season, compared to the summer, while 66% of adults admit that their mood in the winter makes them feel less active. 40% say they experienced fatigue more in the winter.
If you’re experiencing any of the symptoms of SAD, the Lumie Desk-lamp provides extra-bright levels of light from special LEDs. that can be used to treat SAD and sleep disorders. it will also give you a mood, energy, and concentration boost. The desk-lamp can be placed conveniently on your desk to emit therapeutic light at a level perfect for reading and working, which makes it suitable for home and office use.
Product Overview and Specifications
Product Name: Lumie Desklamp – SAD Light Therapy and Task Lamp
Manufacturer: Lumie
Material: Plastic
Finish: Plastic
Price: Varies
Lighting – Touch-control lighting
Removable diffuser: Yes
Flexible neck: Yes
Light output: 10,000 lux at 20 cm; 3,800 lux at 50 cm
Typical treatment time: 30 minutes (without diffuser)
Bulb(s): Blue-enriched white LEDs
Size: (H x W x D): 55 x 29 x 20 cm
Guarantee: 3 years guarantee
Classification: Certified Medical Device (class 2a)
Weight: 1.78 kg
Rating: 4.3 out of 5 stars from 58 customer reviews on AmazonUK
Product Overview and Specifications
What Is SAD?
SAD stands for Seasonal Affective Disorder. In the UK, the National Health Service (NHS) recognizes it as a form of depression. As the name suggests, this condition affects people at particular seasons of the year, mainly in the autumn and winter, though people have been found to be affected in the summer. For this reason, it is known by various names such as winter depression, winter blues, summer depression, and seasonal depression.
People that suffer from SAD can experience the following symptoms:
- Hopelessness.
- Increased appetite and weight gain.
- Greater need for sleep
- Less energy and reduced ability to concentrate.
- Loss of interest in work, and in other activities.
- Sluggish movements.
- Social withdrawal.
- Unhappiness and irritability.
- Inability to sleep properly
The exact cause of SAD has not been identified, though it is believed that it occurs in Autumn through the Winter because of the level of sunlight that the body gets. As it gets dark early, people are getting longer nights and shorter days. According to the NHS, it is thought that lack of sunlight might affect the proper workings of a part of the brain known as the hypothalamus, which is responsible for regulating a lot of body functions and hormones. These hormones are melatonin and serotonin. Melatonin is the hormone that makes us feel sleepy, so that a SAD condition may arise when there is more of it than normal in the body. Serotonin is the hormone that regulates mood, appetite, and sleep. The body uses sunlight for timing some important functions of the body, for example, when to wake up. Accordingly, the lack of sunlight may lead to low Serotonin. resulting in mood changes and feelings of depression.
The exact cause of SAD has not been identified, though it is believed that it occurs in Autumn through the Winter because of the level of sunlight that the body gets. As it gets dark early, people are getting longer nights and shorter days. According to the NHS, it is thought that lack of sunlight might affect the proper workings of a part of the brain known as the hypothalamus, which is responsible for regulating a lot of body functions and hormones. These hormones are melatonin and serotonin. Melatonin is the hormone that makes us feel sleepy, so that a SAD condition may arise when there is more of it than normal in the body. Serotonin is the hormone that regulates mood, appetite, and sleep. The body uses sunlight for timing some important functions of the body, for example, when to wake up. Accordingly, the lack of sunlight may lead to low Serotonin. resulting in mood changes and feelings of depression.
For more information on Lumie and SAD, click here for my review of Lumie Arabica Seasonal Affective Disorder SAD Lamp
Main Features of SAD Light Therapy and Task Lamp
SAD Light Therapy /Task Lamp is manufactured by Lumie, a specialist in the manufacture of medical devices. Since 1991, Lumie has been involved in researching and designing bright lights for the treatment of SAD and other conditions. Lumie designed the first Bodyclock which was the world’s first alarm wake-up light that pioneered SAD light technology. Their products are certified to the Medical Devices Directive (93/42/EEC) and supplied to the NHS Distance and brightness levels (lux). They are independently verified and Lumie is registered with the government’s Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency.
One of the recommended treatments for SAD is the use of light therapy in which a special lamp, known as a lightbox, is used to simulate exposure to sunlight. The SAD Light Therapy and Task Lamp is a versatile alternative to the traditional SAD lightbox. It has blue-enriched LEDs, which offer great contrast so that it’s not only for SAD treatment but also an excellent task light too. It is stylishly designed with a glossy white finish, flexible neck, and touch-control light levels to complement other devices in the home. It is also flexibly designed not only for the home but also for the office environment to boost workplace energy levels and at the same time treat SAD.
Its main features are:
- A stylish alternative to the traditional lightbox design.
- High-contrast light with an adjustable neck for reading and focused tasks.
- Independently verified to deliver the industry standard 10,000 lux at 20 cm.
- The recommended treatment time with soft light is 60 minutes. Removable diffuser brings treatment time down to 30 minutes.
- It can be switched on all day, or make up your recommended session by dipping in throughout the day.
- White LEDs enriched with extra blue; the part of the spectrum known to regulate the body clock.
- Touch-control lighting offers four light levels.
How Does It Work?
The SAD Light Therapy and Task Lamp are equipped with touch-control light levels and an adjustable neck for reading and task lighting. At the same time, it is equipped with blue-enriched white LEDs for effective SAD light therapy. It is also very sturdy and flexible to position so that it is suitable for multiple office tasks. So, it is designed for use in the office or at home.
The high-contrast light also makes it great for reading and tasks. For instance, If your energy drops in the afternoon or if you’re working late or on night shifts, the Desklamp has a removable diffuser for faster treatment. If you have time for a longer treatment session or prefer a softer light so that the effects can be spread, you can leave the diffuser on. Similar to natural light, the bright light can help to reset the body clock for teenagers and adults who struggle to get up in the mornings, making them feel refreshed and brighter during the day. In this way, they are able to sleep well at night. For people with low energy, It helps people whose energy drops in the afternoons, whether at work or home. For instance, people doing night shifts are likely going to experience energy drops in the afternoons. The SAD Light Therapy and Task Lamp can be used to supply them with extra light to boost their energy; which is a much healthier way to get a lift than another cup of coffee. It is also perfect for those who miss the light of summer and suffer from the winter blues or those with serious SAD conditions. Many SAD sufferers have found that bright lights can make a big difference in their lives.
Drawbacks
As can be seen above, this product scores 4.3 out of 58 customer reviews on AmazonUK. There are 50 positive reviews and 8 critical reviews. Interestingly, the reasons for the critical reviews are varied and not actually about the performance of the product, but seem to centre around personal preferences. For example, being “annoying”, “intrusive”, the design of the buttons, etc. So, looking at the review collectively, I would say there are no drawbacks. However, it has to be remembered that even the best thing may not work the same way for everybody because of personal preferences already mentioned above and differences in the chemical processes in our bodies.
Product Support
Lumie is a reputable company and the leading manufacturer of SAD lights for treating seasonal affective disorder since 1991. Lumie is also the official supplier to the National Health Service (NHS) and the British Swimming Association in the UK. It invented the Bodyclock wake-up light and Clear for acne light therapy treatment. The Desklamp is certified to the Medical Devices Directive EC93/42. As a medical device, it conforms to European manufacturing standards and carries the correct CE mark. All Lumie lightboxes and SAD lights have been designed according to the results of relevant clinical trials and come with clear guidelines for correct medical usage
Lumie has a dedicated Customer Care line which is open from 9:30 to 5:30, Monday to Friday, which offers light therapy advice and support.
Conclusion
The product is highly recommended. When you invest in a SAD light treatment that comes from a specialist and experienced company, it gives you peace of mind because you know that if anything is wrong, you can get all the help, advice, and support that you need. The Desklamp is made by Lumie, the Cambridge-based company that specializes in light therapy products. The price of the SAD Light Therapy and Task Lamp may seem expensive, but it should not be forgotten that it is a one-time purchase, which in the long-term will save you more money than buying creams and medicines. In addition, there are no unpleasant side effects of using light therapy. It is also flexibly designed so that it can be used both at home and in the office.
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Find out more about the Desk lamp hereReferences
The Weather Company (2014) Impact of Seasonal Affective Disorder Twice as High as Previous Reports. [online] Available at: https://www.google.co.uk/searchq=research%2C+commissioned+by+The+Weather+Channel+and+YouGov%2C+shows+that+29+per+cent+of+ad&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&client=firefox-b&gfe_rd=cr&dcr=0&ei=FOh1WvTuFoX98wfB0bu4Bw [Accessed 03 Feb. 2018]