Alaska winter • Bright light therapy
When Alaska’s darker days affect your mood
Short winter days can leave some people feeling low or tired. When symptoms return in a seasonal pattern, it may be seasonal affective disorder (SAD), a form of depression. Talk with a healthcare professional about persistent symptoms.
A little more light in your morning
Bright light therapy is one treatment option for winter-pattern SAD. The National Institute of Mental Health describes daily use of a 10,000-lux light box for about 30–45 minutes, usually in the morning. Your clinician can help you choose an appropriate schedule and discuss other treatments.
Choose a light box intended for SAD that filters out most or all UV light. Use the manufacturer’s specified distance, keep your eyes open, and do not stare directly into the light. This is different from red light therapy or a tanning lamp.
10,000 lux: what it means
Lux measures the light reaching a surface; lumens describe the total visible light a source emits. They are different measurements. A 10,000-lux rating needs a sitting distance beside it: moving farther away changes the light reaching you.
Alaska Northern Lights
Find a light that fits your space
Manufacturer-rated distances for 10,000 lux:
Aurora LightPad Max
Aurora LightPad Mini
NorthStar 10,000
Compare the models, current details and positioning instructions on the manufacturer’s website. These specifications do not guarantee a clinical result.
Sources: NIMH: Seasonal affective disorder · Mayo Clinic: Choosing a light box · NIST: Lux