Light Therapy at Dublin City Libraries
Published on 22nd January 2025
Bright light is said to lift your mood, boost alertness and help you to feel more energised and is the natural way to improve your general well-being and that using a lightbox every day over the autumn and winter assists with winter blues and SAD symptoms such as tiredness, over-eating and a lack of energy and motivation.
As part of Healthy Ireland at your Library, we're rolling out Lightboxes to all our branches to fend off Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) in the darker months.
The lightboxes are for use in the library only and may not be borrowed.
Light therapy is proven to put you in a better mood, to boost alertness and to help you feel more awake. Use Vitamin L wherever and whenever you need to restore concentration and give yourself a mental boost.
When should I use it?
Use it at the computer, reading, etc. Dark glasses, tinted lenses or closing your eyes will all limit the effects of light therapy. You should notice positive benefits after using Vitamin L for three or four days in a row.
It’s best to tackle the winter blues and SAD as soon as possible. Look out for early signs - often in September or October - and if you start to feel lethargic, anxious or irritable, start using Vitamin L.
Most people can skip a day here and there, especially when the weather is bright. As spring comes around you will probably start to cut back your light therapy; your body will tell you if it’s too soon and if you notice your symptoms returning simply use your Vitamin L again for a few days.
How long should I use it?
Vitamin L is able to deliver 10000 lux at 20 cm but for comfortable use position Vitamin L at arm's length (about 50 cm) and start with 30 minutes a day (2500 lux). Some people will find this is enough for effective SAD treatment.
If you need to, increase your exposure each day until you find a treatment time that works for you. You can get your daily dose of light therapy from Vitamin L all in one go or use it on-and-off throughout the day for a cumulative effect. If you're more comfortable with Vitamin L further away, then less light will reach your eyes and you'll need it use it for longer.
There's no harm in using the light for longer than suggested. If you find your eyes ache slightly, try using it further away or switch it off for a while.
