what is a sad lamp

A SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) lamp, also known as a light box, is a device that simulates sunlight and is used to provide light therapy to treat SAD. SAD is a type of depression that typically occurs each year during fall and winter when there is less sunlight. The light produced by a SAD lamp is measured in lux, and a SAD lamp should offer a brightness of 10,000 lux. The viewing angle of a lamp should allow it to be positioned above the eyes and at a slight downward angle to minimize glare. Typically, SAD lamps or lights should be used for 30 minutes to an hour, and they can be used at any time of day, although they’re usually used first thing in the morning. SAD lamps are not regulated by the FDA, so it’s important to purchase a legitimate SAD lamp that offers the correct amount of light intensity. The best SAD lamps have a large light surface of around one or one-and-a-half square feet.