Is Light Therapy The Right Treatment For You?

Light therapy is a relatively new way to treat several different kinds of disorders ranging from seasonal affective disorder to jet lag. It can be helpful and has very few side effects. Can light therapy can be for you?

What exactly is light therapy? An effective therapy that simulates natural outdoor light to help restore the body's natural rhythms and help people overcome some mood disorders. Light therapy uses a special light that emits a light that is brighter than that of a normal household lamp. Many light therapy boxes emit a light that is brighter and more intense than the average outdoor light, a short session of exposure to the light usually helps.

Why is light therapy used? Light therapy is used to simulate natural, outdoor light. Research has shown that exposure to natural light helpsto maintain our body's natural rhythm. When we aren't exposed to much natural light it can upset the normal rhythm and cause disorders such as depression and seasonal affective disorder SAD. This therapy can also help to treat conditions such as jet lag, post-partum depression, and obsessive compulsive disorder OCD. Exposure to a light box can even help people who work varying shifts restore a normal sleep cycle.

What are the risks? Light therapy has a few risks, but they are generally mild. Some of the side effects may include: headache, nausea, eyestrain, agitation, fatigue, and irritability. Usually side effects will resolve themselves soon after beginning light therapy treatment. However if they don't go away on their own, try reducing the time that the treatment is used or change the time of day that you use the light.

A word of caution, light therapy may trigger episodes of mania in patients with bipolar disorder. There could also be a risk of suicidal thoughts in patients who are suffering from severe depression. If you are currently being treated for one of these disorders, please check with your doctor before starting any kind of alternative therapy.

How to get the most from your therapy sessions. For best results, you should use your light box at the same time each day. Most health care professionals recommend using the box soon after you wake up every day. Begin with a 15 minute session and slowly work up to 30 minutes to two hours. Consistency is important when using a light box. You might want to skip a day, but make your therapy time productive time. Place the box on a table near you and then read a book or watch television.

Light therapy may not work for every mood disorder, but it could help reduce symptoms and help you find relief. Spending some time in front of a light box every day could help you find joy in the little things again.

This article was written by Jamie Rona. Jamie is a mother of three who enjoys fitness and the outdoors. She loves to relax at the end of the day with a smoothie made with her hand held blender. Check out her website, www.milkshakemaker.org to learn all about different types of milkshake makers, blenders, and smoothie makers so you can make delicious treats too!