January is traditionally a low point in the academic year as students face the stress of exams and winter depression which, due to the lack of exposure to natural light, is at its worst. Lumie bright lights emit a much higher light intensity or lux (the amount of visible light a person receives at a given point) than standard lighting to provide typically 10,000 lux compared to 500 lux for a well-lit office. This exposure to light stimulates the brain to produce more serotonin, a hormone that positively affects your mood, and less of the sleep hormone melatonin so you feel more alert. Treatment time is about 30 minutes.
Light therapy provides relief for anyone on the winter blues spectrum, from those who experience a drop in their mood and energy to those who are disabled by Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Even if you’re not affected by the winter, sitting with a bright light will make you feel more alert and energetic at any time of day.
"Our pop-up light café is now a much-anticipated fixture at Leeds University Union. The students really appreciate the chance to study and relax with the Lumie lights.” - Chloe Sparks, Welfare Officer, Leeds University Union.
“We can use light at any time of day to acutely boost our mood, level of alertness and ability to perform cognitive tasks. In the winter when our environmental light levels are at their lowest, using a light box while studying or in the morning when we wake up is an effective way to ensure we get enough light. Simply using a bright light box for 15-30 min can have a positive effect.” -Dr Victoria Revell, Circadian Rhythm Expert, Surrey University.
Specific Lumie products in use:
Lumie Arabica – mid-sized lightbox emitting cool white light. Delivers 10,000 lux at 25 cms and typically treats SAD symptoms in 30 minutes; lifts mood, boosts concentration and restores natural energy.
Lumie Desklamp – a desk light and natural energy booster in one; uses 96 blue-enriched white LEDs and treats SAD symptoms in 30 minutes with the diffuser detached
Research refs:
There is now a huge amount of research to support light therapy as a treatment for SAD. This link gives you just a selection and includes the benefits of light therapy as well as research into the possible mechanisms behind SAD.
About Lumie:
Based just outside Cambridge, UK, Lumie has been researching, designing and developing light therapy products for over 25 years. Lumie lights treat seasonal affective disorder (SAD) and winter blues; boost mood and energy levels; improve sleep and waking; optimise sports performance; treat jet lag and acne. Our first Bodyclock dawn simulator – an alarm that wakes you up with increasing levels of light – was the world’s first wake-up light and brought light therapy into the mainstream. We’re still at the forefront of new applications for light therapy with innovative products like Lumie Clear for the treatment of acne and Lumie Bedbug a unique children’s sleep aid.
As Europe’s leading light therapy specialist with the broadest range of products in Europe, we have strong connections within the scientific community including at Cambridge University. We’re also a member of the Society for Light Treatment and Biological Rhythms (SLTBR), an international group devoted to promoting research and knowledge about the biological effects of light.
Lumie is certified to the ISO 13485 medical device standard and, except for Lumie Bedbug, our products are certified to the Medical Devices Directive (EC 93/42) which means they’re rigorously tested to European health and safe standards and must be backed up with published scientific evidence. The distance and lux level (the standard measure of brightness received) specifications for our lights are all independently verified.
We supply to the NHS on an occasional basis and our lights are recommended by SADA, the UK’s only registered charity dedicated to SAD. Our lights are also enhancing the study environment at Cambridge University Library and we are proud to be a long-standing official supplier to the British Swimming team.
Two of our wake-up lights, Luxe and Active, provide white noise as an option. If you are trying to sleep in a noisy environment or during the day, white noise helps to muffle other sounds, like traffic or people talking.
In the UK our products are available through www.lumie.com as well as major retailers including amazon, John Lewis and Boots. We also have an expanding network of distributors across Europe and in North America. For consumers buying through www.lumie.com we provide a 45-day trial period on all products and a dedicated customer careline.