QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Sunlight and darkness…
…have always set the rhythm of human life.
They serve to keep our body’s internal “circadian” clock in sync, so we are alert and awake in the day, and ready to sleep at night. Our health, mood, and behavior can be affected when the quality and quantity of sunlight is lessened. This could be from the shorter winter days, cloudy skies, shift work, jet travel, or working indoors away from daylight.
The following are some of the most common questions to do with bright light. If you don’t find your question here, check out our resource links or feel free to call our knowledgeable staff for help at 1-800-880-6953.
The Winter Blues is that yucky feeling you experience during the winter months when you aren’t getting enough sunlight. Winter Blues can still cause distress and severely limit one’s day-to-day capacities.
About 75% of sufferers are women, although children and men suffer with it to. Winter blues typically starts in one’s early twenties, but can start at puberty or later. It appears to be a genetic trait with entire families being prone to it.
Side effects are uncommon but can include mild jitteriness, headaches, or early waking—especially during the first week. These can be minimized by starting with shorter sessions or sitting farther from the light source. People with eye conditions or on photosensitizing medication should consult an eye doctor before using a bright light.
No, intensity matters most, not UV content. Full-spectrum lights with UV posed health risks such as sunburn or eye damage. That’s why our devices use broad-spectrum bulbs without UV emissions, delivering safe bright light.
Yes. The NorthStar 10,000 Light Box can be used as an alarm clock. Simply plug it into an electric timer and orient it towards your bed. Experiment to see what distance works for the level of brightness you prefer.
