[DechanDawa]

My brother sent me a blue light box. I have never used any kind of light box. This is very small but powerful. The light is surprisingly relaxing and yet also energizing. I really love this thing. Maybe it is just a placebo but after I use it I feel better.

[bpcyclist]

Very glad it seems to be helping you out. It never did much of anything for me...

[*Beth*]

I'm so glad it's helping you!


My pdoc kept pressuring me to buy one. I finally did and felt like I wasted 40$. I don't know why, but all it did was hurt my eyes (even though I didn't look straight at it).

[DechanDawa]

Originally Posted by BethRags

I'm so glad it's helping you!


My pdoc kept pressuring me to buy one. I finally did and felt like I wasted 40$. I don't know why, but all it did was hurt my eyes (even though I didn't look straight at it).

Wow am kind of impressed your pdoc recommended it. I thought it was a kind of crazy alternative thing as my brother is very off grid.

I have been keeping my light box on for hours. It's off to the side of my working space. I turn it away so it isn't directly shining in my face.

I do have a rather dark apartment and that's why my brother sent it to me. It really seems to be helping me. I don't get enough direct sunlight due to lack of plentiful windows and a not so great northern exposure. Everything about my apartment is good except the light situation which has now become a deal breaker. I won't be resigning my lease.

[*Beth*]

Originally Posted by DechanDawa

Wow am kind of impressed your pdoc recommended it. I thought it was a kind of crazy alternative thing as my brother is very off grid.

I have been keeping my light box on for hours. It's off to the side of my working space. I turn it away so it isn't directly shining in my face.

I do have a rather dark apartment and that's why my brother sent it to me. It really seems to be helping me. I don't get enough direct sunlight due to lack of plentiful windows and a not so great northern exposure. Everything about my apartment is good except the light situation which has now become a deal breaker. I won't be resigning my lease.

OMG, she kept at me until I bought the thing just to get her to stop telling me to buy it. I mean, truthfully.


Anyway, I know a lot of people with SAD who use light boxes. Seems to be very individual as to whether or not they help.

[DechanDawa]

Originally Posted by BethRags

OMG, she kept at me until I bought the thing just to get her to stop telling me to buy it. I mean, truthfully.


Anyway, I know a lot of people with SAD who use light boxes. Seems to be very individual as to whether or not they help.

Well, I think that's wrong she was pressuring you like that. Truth be told I NEVER would have purchased this thing on my own. But nowadays pdocs do push holistic things...like guided meditation channels, exercise regimes and such. I kind of don't like it.

[*Beth*]

Originally Posted by DechanDawa

Well, I think that's wrong she was pressuring you like that. Truth be told I NEVER would have purchased this thing on my own. But nowadays pdocs do push holistic things...like guided meditation channels, exercise regimes and such. I kind of don't like it.

She was convinced, positively convinced, that the light box would help me. I mean...it might have done something helpful, if it had not hurt my eyes so much.

Both my pdoc and therapist strongly advocate for alternative healing. I've always thought it's because I'm on the west coast?? I don't know. I'm okay with some of it, but not when it becomes the focus of the medical or therapeutic care.

[DechanDawa]

Originally Posted by BethRags

She was convinced, positively convinced, that the light box would help me. I mean...it might have done something helpful, if it had not hurt my eyes so much.

Both my pdoc and therapist strongly advocate for alternative healing. I've always thought it's because I'm on the west coast?? I don't know. I'm okay with some of it, but not when it becomes the focus of the medical or therapeutic care.

I am in a mountain state - that secret mountain state I won't name - with Kaiser...and it is hugely holistic. Like if you have intense anxiety they tell you to listen to a guided meditation tape. That's not going to help strong anxiety. Running is not going to cure severe depression. I also get irritated when they hone in on it.

I had three doctors in a row who I hated...then lucked out and got a new doctor who is so sane. She is so cool, she listens, really listens. And so far she has really helped me with medical issues.

[*Beth*]

Originally Posted by DechanDawa

I am in a mountain state - that secret mountain state I won't name - with Kaiser...and it is hugely holistic. Like if you have intense anxiety they tell you to listen to a guided meditation tape. That's not going to help strong anxiety. Running is not going to cure severe depression. I also get irritated when they hone in on it.

I had three doctors in a row who I hated...then lucked out and got a new doctor who is so sane. She is so cool, she listens, really listens. And so far she has really helped me with medical issues.

That's the thing! All the mindfulness in the world will not ease severe, organic anxiety. Well, maybe. In certain circumstances...maybe. a monk, living away from the world, practicing many times every day. Even then...

It's such a let down to me when any medical practitioner says "practice mindfulness." No, give me the proper meds, THEN I'll practice mindfulness.

[DechanDawa]

Originally Posted by BethRags

That's the thing! All the mindfulness in the world will not ease severe, organic anxiety. Well, maybe. In certain circumstances...maybe. a monk, living away from the world, practicing many times every day. Even then...

It's such a let down to me when any medical practitioner says "practice mindfulness." No, give me the proper meds, THEN I'll practice mindfulness.

Okay...how about this as an example? I have practiced meditation for over 20 years, and I am a certified mindfulness meditation instructor...and I have always had anxiety! I think I am better at minding my anxiety. But not all the time. And you are right about the monks. I have gone on several two week meditation retreats at Buddhist Centers and Zen Centers. By the second week...all anxiety is gone. Well, sure. Someone is cooking all your meals...cleaning up your living and sleeping space. All you have to do is eat, sleep, meditate, take a shower, and do little activities like flower arranging, and taking walks. When you come back to the world it lasts for a couple of days...then back to modern life and anxiety.

As a meditation teacher I would say you would be a perfect student. You know yourself. I really like how you said, "Give me the proper meds, then I'll meditate." This is actually the new way of teaching meditation. If a student needs therapy and meditation, or medication and meditation...that is all fine. My teacher used to say, "Do what makes you happy." Of course he meant within reason...but that we don't have to be so rigid because that creates more anxiety!

Doctors and therapists should not be "prescribing meditation." That's just plain wrong.

[*Beth*]

I've practiced meditation sine 1992. I started with Buddhist meditation. I have obtained focus and better physical stamina from sitting zazen. Lessening anxiety? Pffffft.



"...By the second week...all anxiety is gone. Well, sure. Someone is cooking all your meals...cleaning up your living and sleeping space. All you have to do is eat, sleep, meditate, take a shower, and do little activities like flower arranging, and taking walks. When you come back to the world it lasts for a couple of days...then back to modern life and anxiety." -Precisely.