With winter coming and darkness falling earlier and earlier each week, we’re all going to miss out on much-needed Vitamin D from the sun. Vitamin D has a ton of benefits, including decreasing feelings of anxiety and depression! 

Scientists and therapists have discovered a workaround for missing Vitamin D in the darker months through an intervention called light therapy. Light therapy is administered through a device called a light therapy box, which emits fluorescent, artificial light at 10,000 lux. 

Light therapy is considered the best treatment for struggles like Seasonal Affective Disorder and Major Depressive Disorder. It’s suggested that you sit by the light therapy box for 30 minutes (up to 2 hours) a day, typically first thing in the morning. You can do other things while using light therapy, like read, journal, or practice other forms of self-care!

If you can’t get access to a light therapy box, never fear. You can get all the benefits of light therapy by heading outside while the sun is out. Bundle up, get outside during sunny hours, and go for a lunchtime walk, run, or bike ride and soak up the Vitamin D while also getting some exercise. The best form of light therapy is basking in the real sun! 

Sources 

Campbell, Philip D., Ann M. Miller, Mary E. Woesner. (2017). Bright Light Therapy: Seasonal Affective Disorder and Beyond. The Einstein Journal of Biology and Medicine, 32, E13-E25. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6746555/

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). (n.d.). HealthLink B.C. https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/health-topics/seasonal-affective-disorder-sad 

Light Therapy. (n.d.). Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/light-therapy/about/pac-20384604