Ask HN: What Is a Good Daylight/SAD Lamp?

#1

Post by blue1379 » Thu, Feb 21, 2019, 10:43 AM UTC

I really struggle to cope with the darkness during winter mornings, I'm looking to buy some kind of sun-type lamp before next winter comes.

After some googling, the space seems inundated with pseudo-science snake oil garbage. Any recommendations for high powered broad spectrum lamps?

Re: Ask HN: What Is a Good Daylight/SAD Lamp?

#2

Post by cerberusss » Thu, Feb 21, 2019, 11:35 AM UTC

I've used the Philips Bright Light HF 3304. It appears they don't sell it anymore, though. Philips light therapy lamps: https://www.usa.philips.com/c-m-pe/light-therapy

Do consider therapy, a new relationship and/or a new job though.

Re: Ask HN: What Is a Good Daylight/SAD Lamp?

#3

Post by jarl-ragnar » Thu, Feb 21, 2019, 11:41 AM UTC

I've used a Lumie Bodyclock Starter 30 as my alarm clock for over 10 years. It's completely transformed my morning. Stick it on a bedside table and its alarm function simulates a sunrise over 30 minutes.

Re: Ask HN: What Is a Good Daylight/SAD Lamp?

#4

Post by blue1379 » Thu, Feb 21, 2019, 12:36 PM UTC

cerberusss wrote: post #2

I've used the Philips Bright Light HF 3304. It appears they don't sell it anymore, though. Philips light therapy lamps: https://www.usa.philips.com/c-m-pe/light-therapy Do consider therapy, a new relationship and/or a new job though.

I am happy with those and other facets of my life. I just really struggle with the shorter daylight hours during winter, maybe because I grew up in a different latitude to where I live now.

Re: Ask HN: What Is a Good Daylight/SAD Lamp?

#5

Post by cerberusss » Thu, Feb 21, 2019, 12:42 PM UTC

blue1379 wrote: post #4

cerberusss wrote: post #2

I've used the Philips Bright Light HF 3304. It appears they don't sell it anymore, though. Philips light therapy lamps: https://www.usa.philips.com/c-m-pe/light-therapy Do consider therapy, a new relationship and/or a new job though.

I am happy with those and other facets of my life. I just really struggle with the shorter daylight hours during winter, maybe because I grew up in a different latitude to where I live now.

Good to hear. I've thought of something else -- is the lighting in your office good enough? It may be quite easy to replace those with a much higher lumens rating.

Re: Ask HN: What Is a Good Daylight/SAD Lamp?

#6

Post by upofadown » Thu, Feb 21, 2019, 1:23 PM UTC

I like to stimulate the appropriate photodetectors directly. I have a bank of blue leds aimed at my white ceiling. They are on for 12 minutes every 2 hours for the 12 daylight hours (7 times a day). The first lightcycle in the morning is for 24 minutes as the 12 minutes did not seem to be enough.

Re: Ask HN: What Is a Good Daylight/SAD Lamp?

#7

Post by vidro3 » Thu, Feb 21, 2019, 2:33 PM UTC

the Daylight by uplift technologies usually in the $100 range on amazon. According to a psychiatrist i spoke with this model is what was used in some of the studies showing the benefits of bright light therapy. I've used it for years and it makes a big difference.

Re: Ask HN: What Is a Good Daylight/SAD Lamp?

#8

Post by vidro3 » Thu, Feb 21, 2019, 2:35 PM UTC

vidro3 wrote: post #7

the Daylight by uplift technologies usually in the $100 range on amazon. According to a psychiatrist i spoke with this model is what was used in some of the studies showing the benefits of bright light therapy. I've used it for years and it makes a big difference.

some good material here including purchasing recommendations, though a few years old. https://psycheducation.org/treatment/bipolar-disorder-light-...

Re: Ask HN: What Is a Good Daylight/SAD Lamp?

#9

Post by wenc » Thu, Feb 21, 2019, 2:36 PM UTC

jarl-ragnar wrote: post #3

I've used a Lumie Bodyclock Starter 30 as my alarm clock for over 10 years. It's completely transformed my morning. Stick it on a bedside table and its alarm function simulates a sunrise over 30 minutes.

Same. I've been using the Philips Wake-Up Light (HF3520) which simulates a gentle gradual sunrise for the past 2 years.

The main benefit I've noticed that it doesn't matter what season it is, the sun always rises at the same time, which makes for a happier circadian rhythm (for me at least).

(I live in the northern U.S where there are long winters and daylight saving is observed, which makes for variable sunrise times over the course of the year)

I don't use the alarm feature though -- my phone is my alarm.

Re: Ask HN: What Is a Good Daylight/SAD Lamp?

#10

Post by PascLeRasc » Thu, Feb 21, 2019, 2:50 PM UTC

Here's the one I got, I love it: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B075H39NDL

I keep it on the medium setting for 10 minutes and the rest of the day feels so much better than days where I don't. I can go outside in 0°F and it still feels warm. It totally fixed my energy and motivation issues with SAD.

Here's my Ask HN thread about SAD treatments, for more ideas: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=18257011