According to psychiatrist Dr. Stephanie Hartselle, MD, the best light therapy lamps have the right illumination power, filter, and size to be effective.
Shopping We only recommend products we love and that we think you will, too. We may receive a portion of sales from products purchased from this article, which was written by our Commerce team. The shorter days may have an impact on your mood and energy levels, but the best light therapy lamps can help by prompting your body to better regulate the hormones melatonin and serotonin, which impact sleep-wake cycles and mood, respectively. That said, while the market is flooded with options, not all of them are worth your money. According to Stephanie Hartselle, MD and clinical associate professor of psychiatry at Brown University, a light therapy lamp needs to have the right illumination power, filter, and size to be effective. « Light therapy involves using a special lamp to mimic the light exposure our retinas would receive normally in the warmer seasons. When used for at least 30 minutes in the morning at the recommended power, studies have shown improvement in mood symptoms for those experiencing seasonal depression, » Dr. Hartselle wrote to Bustle. However, the intensity of this light exposure matters, as Dr. Hartselle explains: « LUX is the measurement of illumination, corresponding to how bright one candle would be on a surface at one meter distance.10,000 LUX is the ideal amount from a light therapy lamp. » In addition to offering 10,000 LUX, your light should also filter out harmful rays. « The lights need to be UV-free with a UV filter built into the light, » Dr. Hartselle suggested. Finally, consider the size, which will impact both the functionality and the effectiveness of your light therapy lamp. « We are finding that the size of these lights does matter. The light’s surface should be at least 12 inches […] so that individuals can be up to a foot away from the light and still receive the full benefits. Smaller sizes require the face to be much closer to the light, increasing the risk of glare, eye strain, headaches and the chance that the 10,000 LUX is not received, » Dr. Hartselle wrote. Keep reading to see the best light therapy lamps — and a wearable option — on Amazon, all chosen with Dr. Hartselle’s advice in mind. « For something that fits on a table, I recommend the Carex Day Light Classic Plus because it has the recommended size that allows for 10,000 LUX to be effective from 12 inches away, » wrote Dr.
