Now in its third year, the café provides an alternative revision space which is designed to improve students’ health and wellbeing. The lights will also be used in meditation and yoga workshops that will complement the café experience.
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. A 2015 report confirmed a rapid increase in demand for counselling, with one institution seeing an annual increase of more than 50%. This analysis, published at the start of the 2015/16 academic year, showed mental health problems on campus had ‘increased dramatically’ in recent years, rising from about 8,000 to 18,000 in the four years to 2012-13.
Lumie lights are available in both a revision and relaxation room to provide a boost to mood and energy. 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 melatonin which makes you feel sleepy.
Light therapy provides relief for anyone on the winter blues spectrum, from those who experience a drop in their mood and energy to those with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) who are so badly affected that it disrupts their ability to manage their daily routine. 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. Typically, 30-60 minutes is enough to realise the benefits and the therapy is cumulative so it doesn’t have to be taken in one sitting.
"Well-being is a priority here at Leeds University Union, something that we're particularly conscious of this time of year with the stress of exams and assignments on top of other worries this time of year. With an increase in students accessing support for their mental health, we're excited to be able to provide the Lumie light space again to give students a safe space in which to promote their well-being, " said Jess Reed, Student 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,” added Dr Victoria Revell, Circadian Rhythm Expert, Surrey University.
Specific Lumie products in use:
Lumie Brazil – a powerful light box for optimum SAD treatment; delivers 10,000 lux at
35 cms and typically treats SAD symptoms in 30 minutes – this is the product that will also be used in the yoga classes to take place at Leeds University Union
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
Lumie Arabica – (pictured) a simple but effective lightbox that delivers 10,000 lux at 25 cm and treats SAD symptoms in 30-60 minutes
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.
Lumie
Since 1991 Lumie has been researching and designing bright lights to treat seasonal affective disorder (SAD) and other conditions. 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 also designed and developed Lumie Clear, a unique hand held device that uses combined blue and red light therapy to treat acne.
Over the years Lumie has worked closely with the scientific community. All of our products – the broadest range in Europe – are based on published research and designed by us from our base in Cambridge. Lumie is in the EuRhythDia consortium investigating circadian rhythms and type 2 diabetes, and is working with Liverpool John Moores University sports science department. We continue to research new applications for light therapy.
Lumie products are medical devices, certified to the Medical Devices Directive (93/42EEC)and supplied to the NHS on an occasional basis. Distance and brightness levels (lux) are independently verified and Lumie is registered with the government's Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency.
The benefits of light therapy reach far beyond SAD. Our lights help you to sleep well and get up in the morning, beat the afternoon slump, conquer jetlag and look after your skin. They also optimise sports performance and we are proud to provide lights to some of Great Britain’s elite athletes as well as acting as official suppliers to British Swimming.
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 on all products and a dedicated customer careline.
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Contact:
Ruth Jackson
PR Manager, Lumie
pr@lumie.com
Tel: 01954 786115
Mob: 07914 812261
Facebook: Lumie.light.therapy
Twitter: @lumie_lights
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