Therapy Lights DO THEY WORK OR ARE THEY ALL HYPE?
e n e f i T o u c h No matter your age or athletic ability, you can benefit from yoga. For those of you who don’t know, yoga is a form of meditation and a methodical exercise practice that benefits the body, mind, and spirit. There are many variations of this ancient practice, including forms that emphasize physical well-being and others that focus more on meditation and relaxation. At Lake Burien Physical Therapy, we practice rehabilitation yoga. It’s a kind that can benefit anyone recovering from surgery or injury. It’s also well-suited for those who have had joint replacements and need a form of exercise to acclimate or improve their range of motion. Plus, it’s simple enough that anyone can pick it up easily. Yoga is all about getting in touch with your body. Some exercises focus on breathing and can attune your senses to your body and mind. One Harvard Medical School study found that people who practice yoga The winter months can be dreary for folks who live in northern regions. The days are shorter and the sky is often obscured by clouds. This bleak weather can lead to seasonal affective disorder, or SAD. Depression, moodiness, and lower energy typically affect people with SAD more during the fall and winter months. The disorder has several different causes, but a primary one is a lack of sunlight, which can have an impact on your body’s internal clock. The winter climate can also reduce your serotonin levels, which influence your mood. Low serotonin can bring about feelings of depression. To address this problem, manufacturers developed light therapy devices. Therapy lights, or “happy lights,” are bright lamps that can sit on your desk or end table. They simulate natural sunlight and are marketed as mood boosters that treat symptoms of SAD. But do these therapy lights actually work or are they just placebos? The answer is both . There are a lot of therapy lights on the market, but they’re not all equally effective. The difference is their output. While most lights attempt to simulate sunlight, some devices have weaker output, which means your body and brain won’t respond the same way they do when in natural sunlight.
For instance, some lights are marketed as having “5,000 lux” or “10,000 lux.” There is a big difference between the two. Normal daylight (not direct sunlight), has the equivalent of 10,000–25,000 lux. Direct sunlight can have anywhere from 30,000–100,000 lux. Average office lighting puts out less than 500 lux. In order to be effective, you need a lamp with at least 10,000 lux. After about 30–45 minutes of use, you should notice a boost in mood and energy. While therapy lights are safe and come with few side effects, they are not suited for extended use. Many lights come with a warning not to use them for more than an hour at a time. Using them for longer than an hour can cause eye strain, headaches, and irritability. Therapy lights are not a cure-all. They can help, but they’re a short-term solution. If you feel the effects of SAD or experience depression, consult with a health professional to determine what solution is right for you.
“were more aware of their bodies” than those who didn’t. When you’re aware, you’re in tune, and you feel better.
Other benefits include improved flexibility and balance. These become more important as we age or deal with injury. Many yoga stretches and exercises help keep joints strong and can reduce aches, pains, and inflammation. The benefits of yoga are not just physical. The practice can also help relax the mind. It makes use of many breathing exercises that help reduce anxiety and stress. A calmer state of mind reduces blood pressure and allows you to get a more restful night’s sleep. That way, you wake up feeling great and ready to take on the day. With all these potential benefits, now is the time to get out there and start exploring what yoga can do for you. To learn more about our ongoing gentle yoga classes, visit LakeBurienPT.com/wellness/yoga. Attending a class would be a great way to prepare for the coming spring!
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