While I've never contacted a doctor regarding light therapy, I have read numerous articles about Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and have my own experiences with the healing powers of light. 

SAD is one of many conditions that result from under-exposure to natural light, usually resulting in depression, sadness, and general lethargy.  This disorder is common in people living in the far north or south who experience long seasons with very little sun. 

I live in Texas and don't lack any sunlight. In fact, some days I wish the sun would go away simply because it's ALWAYS there.  I didn't realize how I was affected by natural light until I bought lightbulbs for my studio.  Since then I haven't turned back.

I originally started researching full-spectrum bulbs when I need lighting for a bedroom in my apartment that I was using for a studio.  Most people never notice the vast difference between natual light spectrums and those of incandecent bulbs.  Painting, however, brings it all to life.  Red suddenly looks purple and blues look like greens.  Not good for accuracy in portraiture...so I started doing research.

I knew I needed full spectrum bulbs but didn't really know where to go.  That's when I ran into a bunch of articles on SAD and the use of full-spectrum lights for therapy. 

Brilliant!  Actually, at the time, I thought it was more intriguing and not really relavant to my cause. 

Although some of these would work (namely Ott lights), I needed something brighter for the whole room.  I finally found the perfect lights and ordered two.  I really needed four but, at $17 a piece, determined two would work. 

For those of you who may not be familiar with full-spectrum lighting, these lights mimic the color spectrum of the sun.  Normal incadecant bulbs are usually very warm or very cool in their color spectrums and even energy efficient bulbs can be warm or cool.  And not all full-spectrum bulbs are created equal, either.  Some generic brands sold at the local store may say full spectrum but they are not bright enough to mimic natual lighting unless you hold it against your eye (and I don't recommend this).  You generally have to search and order good full-spectrum lights and they are more expensive than their generic energy-efficient alternatives.  Although all full-spectrum lights are considered florescent and are energy-efficient, they are different than your average lights.

Alright, let's get back to my story.  I ordered the lights and installed them into the ceiling fan so they would face my easel and I could get good colors even at night.  What I didn't realize, was that the lights would make me feel better.

When I said I didn't pay much attention to the SAD articles, I was serious, I was looking for lightbulbs.  Within the first few days of having those lights, however, I completely understood what they were talking about in terms of healing light. 

I live in the land of sun and have light therapy.  It's hard to explain the difference it makes.  As a morning person, I hardly conceive of working late nights.  Those magic lights, however, seemed to change that.  I could easily work until midnight and not feel the drowsy mental fatigue that comes with dusk.  I'd feel tired, but it was a "real" tired, one that resulted from my own physical fatigue rather than some routine sunset. 

Then I realized that, if I sat in other areas of my home, areas without full-spectrum lights, I felt that mental fatigue and weakness.  Funny enough, if my lights were on in my studio but I was down the hall, it would look almost like the sun was shining in the windows to the room. 

Forgive the cliche and the pun, but they lightened my life!  I had more energy and felt better under those lights.  I bought two more and, although I've moved, have continued to upgrade every light in my home. 

You don't need to live in dark places to feel the effects of light therapy.  I think anyone, especially those cooped up inside all day, can use a dose of real light in their lives.  Trust me, just try it.

I'll write an article soon with more information about how to choose a really good full spectrum light.  Ott lights are good for general use or close quarters (don't put these on your eyeballs either), but there are others that can work just as well in large areas.  I haven't tried all the Ott Lites but I'm sure some of their more expensiv bulbs would work just fine.  Stay tuned....and stay bright!