#1. Increased Energy

Does light therapy boost energy and focus?

One of the many functions serotonin regulates is energy. Higher levels of serotonin are associated with higher energy levels.

A significant benefit of sunlight can be obtained through bright light therapy as well. We may feel less energetic during the winter months due to low serotonin levels because sunlight is not accessible.

Many light therapy users utilize their lamps for a boost of energy. "After 1 week of use I feel I have my summertime energy back. I think I'll be using this all summer and winter." - Meghan R, Day-Light Classic Plus review

SAD lamps produce 10,000 LUX (the amount of light needed to benefit from the sun) to trick our bodies into creating serotonin, thus boosting energy levels. 

#2. Better Regulated Sleep

Another reaction to sunlight is melatonin production. Melatonin aids in regulating our circadian rhythm, known as our sleep-wake cycle.

Having an inadequate level of melatonin has been shown to cause many sleep disorders. By sitting in front of a seasonal affective disorder lamp in the morning, we mimic the sun coming up, thus causing our bodies to produce more melatonin.

"I always say my ancestors hibernated because I can sleep all winter! BUT I have a job and children so it's not possible. This lamp and 20 minutes of your time in the morning will remove the winter "blues" This lamp has been such a wonderful help to me!" - Cheryl R., Day-Light Sky review

The human sleep-wake cycle is highly sensitive to light, making it essential to getting quality sleep. A review article on light box therapy for circadian rhythm disorder concluded that circadian rhythm light therapy effectively regulates sleep. The study found that using bright light therapy for sleep disorders at the appropriate time of day can aid in aligning one's sleep-wake cycle with the desired sleep schedule.

A 2022 study found light therapy to prevent sleep disruption for women undergoing chemotherapy for cancer. When compared to a dim red light group, the white light group experienced:

• Longer night-time sleep
• Fewer sleep disturbances during the night
• And had fewer and shorter daytime naps.

New 2024 findings: A recent study investigated the effectiveness of light therapy in improving sleep and circadian rhythm for individuals with Parkinson's disease (PD). Researchers compared two types of light therapy: one mimicking natural daylight and another specifically targeting melanopsin cells.

While both therapies improved deep sleep quality, neither significantly affected melatonin secretion timing. Personalized daylight therapy shows promise for improving sleep in early to moderate PD, but further research is needed to confirm these findings and explore the effects in advanced PD.

If you find yourself struggling to fall asleep or not sleeping through the night, try harnessing the benefits of happy lights during the day for better sleep at night.

#3. Improved Mental Health and Moods

Light Therapy Benefits for Depression

Light therapy for depression is by far the most common use of phototherapy lights. A significant reason people develop mood disorders such as seasonal affective disorder is low serotonin levels.

Most of the 40 million cells in our brains are impacted by serotonin, including our moods. When we have higher serotonin levels, our moods become more manageable, and we’re less likely to develop related mental conditions. Light box therapy helps boost serotonin, giving us the ability to better manage moods.

New for 2024: A recent study investigated the effectiveness of bright light therapy (BLT) for adolescent outpatients with depression. Researchers found that BLT was feasible, acceptable, and effective in improving mood and sleep in this population. Participants reported high rates of adherence to the treatment, and depression symptoms significantly improved. Additionally, sleep efficiency increased, and sleep onset latency showed improvement. These findings suggest that BLT could be a valuable treatment option for adolescents with depression in primary care settings. More extensive studies are needed to confirm these results further.

"This has helped my mood especially in the winter. I have bought one for several people who suffer from anxiety and depression. I recommend it highly." - Ibuddington, Day-Light Sky review

Dementia

A core area affected by dementia is one's circadian rhythm. Patients with dementia often experience a chaotic sleep-wake cycle. Studies have shown light therapy for dementia to regulate rest and activity better while enhancing sleep efficiency. However, more research is needed.

While more research is needed, the benefits of phototherapy in mental health has shown promising results. Using bright light therapy for depression, anxiety, and other mental health impairments can relieve symptoms and lead to a better quality of life.

#4. Increased Productivity and Focus

Another of the many effects of serotonin are more energy.

When we have more energy, our productivity spikes alongside our ability to focus. When we have more serotonin levels, we’re happier. Being in a good mood is another productivity booster. When we’re happy, our body continues to produce more serotonin—a domino effect of better health and wellness.

A 2012 study on the effects of lighting in office environments that "more intense light can improve feelings of alertness and vitality, as well as objective performance and physiological arousal."

When compared to low lighting, the intense lighting made subjects feel less sleepy and more energetic. 

Lacking in productivity? Try getting it from the benefits of a therapy light.

"One of the best investments of my life. I bought my DayLight several years ago, and what a difference it has made. It keeps me alert and focused throughout the day." - Safiya, Day-Light Classic Plus review

#5. Improved Memory

There wasn’t much evidence of the effects serotonin has on memory for some time until a breakthrough was made in 2017.

A John Hopkins study of the brain showed that those with a declined memory and conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease have a severe decrease in serotonin neurons.

A 2023 meta-analysis of 13 studies found light therapy to improve cognitive function in 608 dementia patients, as measured by the Mini-Mental State Examination. The study looked at the attention, executive function, and working memories of the patients.

This finding leads them to believe that low serotonin levels were a direct cause of memory decline rather than a byproduct. Now they think that by increasing serotonin levels, they can reduce memory decline.

#6. Reduced Anxiety

Can Light Therapy Help with Anxiety?

Another effect light therapy has on our bodies is increased melatonin production.

While melatonin is primarily known for regulating sleep, it’s been shown to reduce anxiety as well. Numerous studies have been conducted to show the effects of melatonin on reducing anxiety before surgery. Patients who were administered melatonin beforehand showed reduced symptoms of anxiety and stress.

Multiple studies have shown light treatment for anxiety to be effective. One study involving 58 patients with anxiety from epilepsy found this treatment to be effective in reducing symptoms.

Another study in 2013 found positive results for those undergoing phototherapy treatment compared to a sham treatment.

"Helps my anxiety greatly! Love my TheraLite Aura." - Storm, TheraLite Aura review

#7. Increased Sexual Function

A two-week study conducted using light therapy and its effects on male sexual function showed this treatment method worked on those with diagnosed hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD) and sexual arousal disorder (SAD).

High levels of serotonin are associated with low libido, while low levels are associated with increased libido.

#8. More Regulated Digestion and Appetite

Another aspect that serotonin impacts are our digestion and appetite regularities.

Having a healthy amount of serotonin is essential to healthy eating habits. It aids in regular bowel function and reduces your appetite as you eat. Many studies have shown light therapy to be effective in helping treat those with eating disorders.

#9. You Heal Quicker/More Efficiently

If you’ve ever cut yourself and it formed a blood clot to heal, you have serotonin to thank. After cutting ourselves, our blood platelets release serotonin to aid in healing the wound. Serotonin causes arteries to narrow and help form blood clots.

#10. Increased Ability to Learn More

Another side effect of low energy (and often seasonal depression) is a decreased cognitive ability to learn.

Low levels of serotonin are often associated with low energy levels. And according to Harvard Health Publishing, “constant fatigue can make you less mentally and physically active, hamper cognitive function, and diminish overall quality of life.”

Humans need energy to function correctly. Light therapy lamps aid in this by tricking your body into producing more serotonin. More serotonin means more energy, which results in a better ability to learn and process information.

#11. Lowered Blood Pressure

A core benefit of sunlight is it lowers blood pressure. But sunlight does pose health risks if overexposed due to UV rays. This is where light therapy comes into play.

British scientists found that exposing your entire body to blue light therapy for 30 minutes effectively lowered blood pressure. Not only that, but poor mental health and stressful situations can cause blood pressure to spike temporarily.

While they aren’t linked directly, taking the necessary steps to improve your wellness (such as light therapy) can reduce blood pressure overall. 

#12. Creates a Well-Lit Environment

Another daylight lamp benefits is they really lighten up a room.

Having a well-lit home or work environment isn’t just aesthetically pleasing but useful for your health as well. Humans need light to function correctly. Having a properly lit environment aids in keeping our sleep-wake cycle-regulated. It preserves eye health, makes navigation easier without falling, and can help our moods and overall mental state.

Another study looking at the effects of indoor lighting conditions and computer work fatigue found the following:

• Higher illumination and color temperature resulted in lower fatigue levels, improved work efficiency, and increased comfort compared to lower settings.
• Color temperature had a more pronounced effect on fatigue than illumination level. Warmer color temperatures (around 3000K) generally led to more relaxed feelings but also influenced brainwave patterns.
• Increasing illumination under a warmer color temperature did not significantly reduce fatigue but did improve task performance, as evidenced by a decrease in error rates.

Overall, the study suggests that optimizing office lighting conditions, particularly by increasing illumination and using appropriate color temperatures, can effectively reduce computer work fatigue and enhance productivity.

#13. Safe & Drug-Free

When it comes to treating conditions such as seasonal depression, anxiety, and circadian rhythm disorder, a common method used is medications. And while these do work, they can have harmful long-term effects on the body.

Not only is light therapy drug-free, but it's safe as well. It can be a safe way to reduce dependency on medications with little to no side effects.

If you're questioning it's legitimacy in this regard, consider these findings and studies:

• A 2022 study on light therapy concluded that this treatment "offers a simple, safe and cost-effective approach to augmenting depressive treatment on an acute psychiatric floor." 
• A systematic review of 15 separate studies found light therapy to be as effective (if not more) when compared to antidepressants.

If you're looking for a more holistic method to treat low energy, poor sleep, and depleting mental health, light therapy may help. While it won't outright replace the use of medications, it can minimize dependency.