How Light Therapy Eases Depression and Improves Sleep Quality in Seniors

A few years ago, after reading about how Light Therapy can be a great way to improve your general mood, I got myself a big round light therapy lamp. It was winter time in Canada and I can’t really explain how that simple light has changed my life. Now I am back reading about Light Therapy, but the one targeted to seniors.

How Light Therapy Eases Depression and Improves Sleep Quality in Seniors

According to the WebMD website, it turns out that research has proven that exposure to bright light may ease symptoms of depression in elderly people. The study shows that three weeks of bright light therapy using specially designed light boxes improved symptoms of depression by as much as 54% in older adults with depression.

Moreover, researchers say depression commonly causes sleep problems and other symptoms because of a disruption of the body’s natural circadian rhythms or body clock. Circadian rhythm disturbances are also frequently found among elderly people who expose themselves less frequently to bright environmental light.

Previous studies have suggested that bright light therapy can help restore circadian rhythms and target depression-related neurotransmitters in the brain. Moreover, levels of the stress hormone cortisol also are proven to decrease among people who receive bright light therapy. 

Therefore, in addition to lifting their moods, bright light therapy improved sleep, reduced stress, and optimized levels of the neurotransmitter serotonin. Low levels of serotonin are associated with depression and often targeted by antidepressant drugs.

And what’s best, it turns out that research into the severe circadian underpinnings of chronic depression, bipolar disorder, Alzheimer’s disease, and fatigue suggests that light could help these patients readjust too.

Researchers actually say the improvements found with bright light therapy in treating depressed elderly people are similar to the improvements found with antidepressant drug treatment.

History Behind Light Therapy

Phototherapy has long been used to treat certain conditions: the power of artificial sunlight for skin disorders was demonstrated over a century ago. The doctor who won the 1903 Nobel Prize in medicine found that an hour a day of light therapy could actually help cure smallpox, and lupus vulgaris, a form of tuberculosis.

But it’s only in the past couple of decades that researchers have looked at light treatment as a possibility for people suffering year-round from depression or other diseases. 

Today, research suggests that bright light can affect levels of certain brain chemicals, like serotonin, thought to be involved in major depression. Light therapy also seems to zero in on the same brain structures that antidepressants target. Definitely, Bright Light Therapy deserves a place in the treatment of major depression in older adults nowadays.

Best Light Therapy Lamps for Seniors’ Depression and Sleep Quality

1. Miroco Light Therapy Lamp with 90° Rotatable Standing Bracket

UV-Free LED Light: Mimics the full spectrum of light found in daylight, the lamp delivers the recommended 10,000Lux

Compact size: Extra-large light surface & ultra-thin size (8.7 x 6.7 x 0.4 in) for easily fit in small places and storage, such as fits next to your laptop, on the kitchen counter and anywhere

Rotatable Bracket: Pivot the stand 90 degrees for use in portrait or landscape & adjust the opening angle between 40-100 degrees to position the light as best needed

Adjustable Brightness: With smooth dimmer (10% – 100%), you can set it by touching the button (+/-) for 2 seconds to the best level according to the environment, distance from the lamp

Memory Function: Helps you quickly turn on your light from last brightness setting.

Timer: Long press the power button for 2sec to start the 30min timer and the LED indicator blinks (long press a second time to cancel the timer);

Easy to Use: Just place the light no closer than 6 inches (and normally about 9-12 inches away) for about 30 to 60 minutes per day depending on your needs. It’s best positioned in your peripheral vision in order to receive the light through your eyes without staring directly into it. The more intense the light, the less amount of time it will take to feel the results.

Seniors can get the best-seller Miroco Light Therapy Lamp with 90° Rotatable Standing Bracket for just $20!

Check this item on Amazon.

2. Shell Shape Miroco Light Therapy Lamp

Sleek & Modern Shell Design: Its unique shape and 6500K color temperature make it not only a lamp, but also an attractive focus in your home.

Compact size: (5.9 x 5.9 x 1.25 in) for easily fit in small places and storage; fits next to your laptop, on the kitchen counter, on your cubicle desk, and elsewhere

UV-Free LED Light: Mimics the full spectrum of light found in daylight, the lamp delivers the recommended 10,000Lux

Adjustable Brightness: With 3 brightness levels (40% / 60% / 100%), you can set it to the best level according to the environment, distance from the lamp, and your sensitivity with just a simple touch

Memory Function: Helps you quickly turn on your light from last brightness setting

Easy to Use: Generally speaking, place the light normally about 9-12 inches away for about 30 to 60 minutes per day depending on your needs. It’s best positioned in your peripheral vision in order to receive the light through your eyes without staring directly into it. The more intense the light, the less amount of time it will take to starting feeling the results.

The Amazon Choice Shell Shape Miroco Light Therapy Lamp is available for $40.

Check this item on Amazon.

3. Nature Bright SunTouch Plus Light and Ion Therapy 5000ratings 59us Amazon Choice

2-in-1: The Nature Bright Sun Touch 2-in-1 Light Therapy Lamp combines light and fresh air therapy. It helps balance your body clock, leaving your entire body feeling rested, refreshed, and nourished

Compact size: The Nature Bright sunlight lamp is designed with a slim footprint and upright design so it can fit seamlessly almost anywhere. You can set it on your desk at work or on the nightstand at home to help you elevate your mood

UV-Free LED Light: The Sun Touch Plus sun lamp is ideal for brightening your spirits in the winter season and year-round. The SkyEffect technology emits 17,000 Kelvin UV-free light, which can uplift mood

Adjustable Brightness: Not adjustable

Memory Function: No Memory Function.

Timer: The built-in personal air purifier and built-in timer with 15, 30, 45, and 60-minute intervals allows customized use

Easy to Use: Place the light normally about 9-12 inches away for about 30 minutes per day (max 60 minutes). It’s best positioned in your peripheral vision in order to receive the light through your eyes without really staring directly into it.

The Nature Bright SunTouch Plus Light and Ion Therapy is also an Amazon Choice and it’s available for $60.

Check this item on Amazon.

Best Light Therapy Glasses for Seniors’ Depression and Sleep Quality

4. Luminette 3

Thanks to its patented illumination system and light and slim design, Luminette provides ideal eyes’ exposure while keeping vision free. If you wear glasses or contact lenses you can use Luminette without them impacting your vision or comfort

Equivalentto a 10000 Lux Lamp: The light emitted is a blue-enriched white light. An independent clinical trial has demonstrated that Luminette is as much beneficial as an 10,000 lux lamp.

Adjustable Brightness: It comes with 3 intensities (500, 1,000 and 1,500 lux).

Long Autonomy: Luminette is rechargeable by micro-usb cable; one charge gives autonomy for 10 sessions. Supplied with a US-plug charger

Safe and Certified: Luminette has been safely used by more than 100,000 users since 2006. Luminette is certified as “zero-risk” device according to european standard IEC 62471 on photobiological safety.

Easy to Use:  Many users find the glasses as effective and much easier to use as  they can walk around getting ready for work while wearing it. For better results, try using the light therapy glasses 30 min/day between 7am-9am. It will take 7 days to show the differences.

For $200 you can get this world’s first Light Therapy Glasses.

Check this item on Amazon.

5. PEGASI 2

Equivalent to a 10000 Lux Lamp: PEGASI II features the wavelengths of light between green and blue proven by NASA as effective as blue light or 10,000 lux white light in solving sleep problems, while ensuring greater comfort going through changes in energy levels and sleep cycle.

Compact size: The brand-new collapsible frame makes it easier to enjoy PEGASI treatment anywhere. PEGASI glasses are portable and lightweight (just 1.7 oz.),you can use them while running, exercising, brushing teeth, eating,even when you wear prescription glasses. Also,you can switch different modes on PEGASI Sleep App via Bluetooth 4.0.

Safe and Certified: PEGASI is a member of the US National Sleep Foundation and obtaining 10 patents. The glasses have been certified by FCC, RoHS & CE. PEGASI Glasses emit a specific wavelength which is 100% UV-free,safe for your eyes.

Easy to Use: You only need to wear PEGASI light therapy glasses II 30 min/day between 7am-9am. It will take 7 days to show the differences.

Seniors can get the PEGASI 2 for $190.

Check this item on Amazon.

Newest Light Therapy Product for Seniors’ Depression and Sleep Quality available on the Market

6. Luminette Drive

Luminette Drive is the only light therapy lamp that allows you to do your light therapy session during your car trips. It is equipped with an integrated rechargeable battery. and comes with a dual USB car charger and its standard C-type cable.

How it works: The drive emits a blue light, centered at 468 nm. This wave length has been proven to most effectively activate the body’s energizing response to light.

Drive safe: The use of blue light centered on a single wavelength reduces the received light intensity, which is essential for visual comfort in the car. Its position above the zone of vision does not block the view and allows normal driving

Safe and Certified: Luminette is certified as “zero-risk” device according to european standard IEC 62471 on photobiological safety

Easy to Use: Thanks to its elastic strap and magnetic attachment system, it can be positioned on the sun visor in two seconds. You can also very easily change the lighting angle. After 20 minutes, it switches off automatically and you can store it for use the next day.

The Luminette Drive is available on the market for $180.

Check this item on Amazon.

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