Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a type of depression triggered by the changing of the seasons, usually beginning in the fall or winter. According to Healthline, SAD affects between 0.5% to 2.4% of people in the U.S. every year and is more prevalent among women, young adults, and those who live in colder climates. Common symptoms of SAD include depression, trouble sleeping, loss of energy, difficulty concentrating, overeating, loss of interest in social activities, and thoughts of suicide.
If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, you should talk to your doctor. They will be able to give you a proper diagnosis and find a treatment plan that works best for you. While the exact cause of SAD is still unknown, one theory suggests that your biological clock may be to blame. That’s because you’re typically exposed to less sunlight in the fall and winter. This can impact your biological clock, which is responsible for regulating your mood, hormones, and sleep cycle.
Verilux Happy Light Luxe
As a result, an increase in exposure to sunlight may help treat symptoms of SAD, alongside therapy and medication. That’s where SAD lamps come into play. Since it can be difficult to get more exposure to sunlight with a limited number of daylight hours, SAD lamps can help replicate sunlight, which can encourage your brain to increase its production of melatonin and serotonin. These neurotransmitters affect your mood and sleep (via Cleveland Clinic). When looking for a SAD lamp, it’s best to choose ones that are made from high quality materials, come from a reputable brand, and have positive customer reviews (via Psych Central).
One of the best SAD lamps out there is the Happy Light Luxe by Verilux. According to CNN, this is a powerful, compact lamp that can help people manage their SAD symptoms. In addition to being a portable and relatively affordable option at $69.99, the Happy Light Luxe contains a number of different settings, allowing you to adjust the brightness and temperature of the light. For instance, you can choose a cooler light that mimics the sunlight during the summer months or a warmer light that better resembles a sunset or sunrise. It also comes with a timer, which you can set for 5 to 60 minutes at a time.
Circadian Optics Lampu
If you have SAD, you might also want to try the Circadian Optics Lampu. While it’s not as customizable as Verilux’s Happy Light Luxe, the Lampu is a sturdy and easy-to-use SAD lamp that emits a very bright and vibrant light (via CNN). Circular in shape and easy to move around, the Lampu is a functional and durable lamp with three levels of brightness. Although it doesn’t have a timer or a lot of settings, it won’t knock over easily and still gets the job done. What it lacks in settings, it more than makes up for in the quality of the design. You can buy it on Amazon for $69.99.
Circadian Optics Lumos 2.0 Light Therapy Lamp
Circadian Optics/Amazon
Another great SAD lamp from Circadian Optics is the Lumos 2.0 Light Therapy Lamp. As a petite and affordable SAD lamp, the Lumos 2.0 is a fun, stylish swivel lamp that is priced at $49.99. It can emit quite a bit of light with such a small surface, and can easily be adjusted to illuminate any angle (via CNN). The Lumos is a tall and versatile lamp that can also be mounted to the wall. It’s also portable and small enough to fit in a suitcase, making it a good SAD lamp to take with you on your travels. In addition, it even comes with an attachable foot in case you want to use on a desk instead of mounting it on the wall. Much like the Lampu, however, the Lumos doesn’t have a timer and only contains three levels of brightness.
Carex Day-Light Classic Plus
Carex/Amazon
While slightly more on the expensive side, the Day-Light Classic Plus from Carex is one of the most effective SAD lamps of 2024, according to experts at Prevention. Priced at $112, the 28-inch tall lamp is a great option for those with moderate to severe SAD symptoms. The Day-Light Classic Plus can emit a very bright and intense light ranging up to 10,000 lux and has a large lamp face that can provide an abundance of illumination. It also comes with an adjustable arm so it can easily be tilted in your desired direction. The only potential downside is that the lamp’s size may be a little too large for some people.
Lavish Home Sunlight Floor Lamp
Lavish Home/Amazon
If you’re looking for a good floor lamp to help brighten up your day, you might want to try Lavish Home’s Sunlight Floor Lamp, which can provide function and help manage symptoms of seasonal depression. Priced at $42, this lamp emits sunlight-like hues and can help illuminate rather large rooms (via Psych Central). It also stands on its own and comes with a flexible and easily adjustable neck. In addition, the floor lamp’s fluorescent light bulb can last for up to 5,000 hours, emitting the same amount of light as a standard light bulb without using as much energy. The Sunlight Floor Lamp even comes in a variety of colors to help match your decor.
