I'm thinking about maybe getting a light box this year. I'm wondering if those of you who use them might recommend those that are good, but not too expensive. The most bang for the buck. Also interested to know if there are any brands or models anyone has found not so great. Thoughts?
Thanks!

[BipolaRNurse]

I use a Verilux HappyLight. It cost only about $100 and is very convenient to use. I have mine right next to the chair in my bedroom and I sit in front of it for 30 minutes each morning in the late fall and winter, which is when I tend to become depressed. It's 10,000 lux (units of light), which is recommended for best results. I bought mine on Amazon.

[~Christina]

I need one too. But budget won’t allow

[Wild Coyote]

I have one, but it is too small. It's not 10,000 lux at one foot away from the unit. I do not know why some manufacturers do not just stick to the 10,000 lux rule!

My pdoc recommended Amazon for finding one. Verilux has all different sizes, not all are 10,000 lux. Same with some other companies. Buyer beware.

That said, Verilux is a respectable company and has some good models.

According to my pdoc, who also uses a SAD light, we should be looking for 10,000 lux at 1 foot away from the lighting device.

I hope this helps!


WC

[Sunflower123]

I have two light boxes. One is a Verilux that I bought off Amazon for around $100 and the other is a Philips goLITE BLU energy light that I bought at Walmart for $73. The blue light can be too bright and caused me serious sleep disturbances at first but I prefer it.

[Blueberrybook]

Did it help anyone who has tried it? Curious about it. My old pdoc thought I should try it, but I don't have the money to. Just wondering if it helps or not or if you have to spend a lot of money on a model to get one that actually works?

[Sunflower123]

Originally Posted by Blueberrybook

Did it help anyone who has tried it? Curious about it. My old pdoc thought I should try it, but I don't have the money to. Just wondering if it helps or not or if you have to spend a lot of money on a model to get one that actually works?

Oh yes...it helps a great deal. I use mine heavily in the fall/winter and my pdoc always asks if I’m using it. I even use it in the summer/spring when we go through days of cloudy/rainy weather.

[Wild Coyote]

Depending on the person, it can help a lot.
My pdoc also uses one every Fall/Winter morning.


WC

[TrailRunner14]

I spend most of my day in my kitchen. We have a long double bar light overhead on the ceiling and another double bar light over the sink. We replaced the bulbs last year with “outside/daylight” bulbs and it feels good to me.

The hue of the light feels more like natural sunlight as apposed to the fluorescent light.

Not sure if this is in the same category as a light box but it feels better to me.

They aren’t really any more expensive than the regular bulbs.

Thanks, everyone, these answers are very helpful.

Originally Posted by BipolaRNurse

I use a Verilux HappyLight. It cost only about $100 and is very convenient to use. I have mine right next to the chair in my bedroom and I sit in front of it for 30 minutes each morning in the late fall and winter, which is when I tend to become depressed. It's 10,000 lux (units of light), which is recommended for best results. I bought mine on Amazon.

Does yours get hot? I was confused by the varying answers to that on the site. Being LEDs (which I am a huge fan of), it *shouldn't* be much, but...

[pirilin]

A good tv with a bad show is a great light box.
I sleep super watching? listening? to Investigation ID
They don't shout. And the main character is always silent. As if it was dead.

It arrived!! I just ordered it Thursday night and it arrived Saturday morning(!) No special Prime or any of that. Just did 1/2 hour with it. I was glad it arrived earlier than expected, since we're heading into a time of year that is traditionally problematic for me, depression-wise (especially late Nov - mid Dec) and it's nice to get a jump on it. I went with the Verilux Happy Light which BipolaRNurse has had good luck with.

Thanks again!

p.s. It didn't get hot. Just VERY mildly warmish.

[99fairies]

Ive used my light box for about two years and did not notice a change in how I felt. So I stopped using it a couple months ago. But I am glad it works for some people.

[raspberrytorte]

I'm using mine as I type this. Thought it might perk me up a bit. I'm so tired. Happy yours arrived so fast, innerzone! I hope it helps you.