The following article was submitted by Lisa Glenn, the Materials Management Clerk for the Manitowoc Public Library.
There is a chill in the air and the days are getting shorter. It is fall in Wisconsin. Along with pumpkin pie, hot tea, apple picking, and flannel, comes shorter daylight hours. It is also the time for Seasonal Affective Disorder, which affects many people this time of year. Seasonal Affective Disorder (or S.A.D.) is a depressive mood response to the lack of natural light. It can affect a person’s mood, energy level, and sleep patterns. Some people call it the “winter blues.”
Sunlight regulates our circadian rhythm, so when there is less light, our established rhythm can be thrown off. One potential treatment is light therapy. Light therapy is conducted by sitting or working near a device called a therapy light or lamp. This lightbox gives off bright light that mimics natural outdoor light. The therapy lamp uses LED lights, so there are no ultraviolet rays.
Starting on Saturday, October 8, Manitowoc Public Library will be offering therapy lights for checkout to our community. We are calling these “Happy Lamps” and they will be available at the Service Desk. They can be checked out for three weeks at a time, after which time they can be returned to the Service Desk. And don’t worry—they are small and easy to carry.
These Seasonal Affective Disorder lights simulate natural sunlight. For some, using light therapy during the fall and winter months can help adjust their circadian rhythm. All you do is sit or work near the light box. You can read, work on your laptop, or watch television while using the Happy Lamp. The light should enter your eyes indirectly, so never stare straight into the light. And as always, please seek the advice of your physician before starting this or any other treatment that’s new to you. Some people can be sensitive to light, so please stop using the Happy Lamp if you begin to experience discomfort.
Our Happy Lamps have a brightness control and a timer, so you can easily regulate how long you are using the light. You can also place our lamps at different angles, which allows the user to set it up so that the light reaches them best. The lamp should be placed 15 to 30 inches from your face. As an added bonus, you can charge your phone on it! It is recommended to use the Happy Lamp 15 minutes a day before lunchtime. If needed, you can increase the amount of time from there.
We hope that offering these lamps will give the community access to a tool to help them manage their mental health. If you suffer from the “winter blues,” come give a Happy Lamp a try. If you have wondered about therapy lights, but weren’t sure if you were ready to buy one, please stop by and check one out.
Finally, remember the words of Albus Dumbledore:
“Happiness can be found even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light.”
Turn on the light! Come to MPL and try a Happy Lamp!
