Sunshine and light (as well as a lack thereof) have a direct effect on your mood and energy levels. This fact is even more evident in those that suffer from seasonal affective disorder (SAD) - a type of depression that's related to changes in seasons. If you spend most of your time indoors, or if you feel depressed during winter months (i.e the "winter blues"), then you could benefit enormously from light therapy. Specialized sunlight lamps like the ones below can boost mood, energy, and focus, especially for those who don't get enough sunlight. And they do it without emitting harmful UV rays!
Philips SmartSleep Therapy Lamp
Doubles as a sunny alarm clock!
Although it's a little different than a traditional light therapy lamp, we love that this one is designed to help sleep cycles as well as moods. The lighting works as an alarm clock and bedtime helper, waking you up with soft sunlight and natural sounds, helping you to sleep with fading light and gentle guided breathing. The brightness settings can be adjusted for day and night as well to be used as a traditional therapy lamp when needed.
Circadian Optics Lampu Therapy Lamp
A Cool, Minimalist Design
For modern, minimalist interiors, this therapy lamp from Circadian Optics has a cool design that will go nicely with the decor. It has a round, titled shape that mimics the sun and the functionality couldn't be simpler. Just tap once to turn it on, adjust brightness, or turn it off again. Easy!
TaoTronics Light Therapy Lamp
Super thin & inconspicuous
Here's a therapy lamp that's so thin and inconspicuous, it seems to fade into the background. Despite its super slim design, the powerful light shines with 10,000 lux intensity - bright enough to chase away any winter blues. Use it in horizontal orientation or vertical.
Aura Day Light Lamp
Adjustable & versatile
The Aura Day Light Lamp is versatile in that you can adjust it in many ways. For one, the smart dial gives you infinitesimal control over brightness so you decide exactly how bright you need it throughout the day. You can also adjust it to 85 or 70º angles, set timers so it turns off automatically, or mount it to the wall if you like.
Northern Light Technologies Boxelite
Large and in-charge
The largest therapy lamp on our list, the Boxelite from Northern Light Technologies is a full 17" tall for the highest range of light output. The large fluorescent bulbs are filtered for a white diffuse light that mimics natural sunlight, but without any dangerous UV rays.
Lavish Home Sunlight Floor Lamp
Fits right into the home decor
Now here's a therapy lamp that will fit right into the home decor. Since it only has a single bulb, this sunlight lamp is not as bright and powerful as the others on this list, but it does provide 6500K lux of light that mimics natural sunlight. The lamp is 5' tall with a gooseneck design that allows you to swivel the light in different directions.
Carex Day-Light Therapy Lamp
Best clinical SAD therapy lamp
For those who have been diagnosed with seasonal affective disorder (SAD), the Carex DayLight Therapy Lamp has been clinically tested and shown to effectively treat SAD. The full-spectrum lamp is 12" wide, so it provides a large, bright light that radiates far throughout the room. It is also free of glare and UV rays, so it's safe to use for as long as you like.
Verilux HappyLight
Most affordable light therapy
If you'd like to enjoy the benefits of light therapy without dropping big bucks, try the HappyLight from Verilux. There's 10,000 lux of full-spectrum light in this little lamp, so it can provide the same benefits as its larger competitors. The compact size also makes it more portable.
Light Up Your Mood
For anyone who starts feeling glum after spending too much time indoors, or suffers from the "winter blues", try some healthy light therapy without risking harmful UV rays! These lights can even help treat extreme jet lag. Our favorite is the Philips SmartSleep Therapy Lamp because it doubles as a sun-mimicking alarm clock that helps your body prepare for the day in the way nature intended. The same goes for its light-fading nighttime sleep routine.
If your interior design is of the modern, minimalist variety, check out the Circadian Optics Lampu for its clean lines and attractive aesthetic. It's also just as powerful for light therapy as the others on this list. Those on a budget may prefer a Verilux HappyLight, on the other hand, for its more reasonable price tag. It's also compact and portable! No matter which lamp you choose, soon you'll be enjoying the happy benefits of healthy artificial sunlight.
