Toward the bright future

If you’ve ever felt more sluggish, down, or off during the darker months of the year, you’re not alone. For many, shorter days and reduced sunlight can trigger symptoms of depression, fatigue, and sleep disturbances. Enter Bright Light Therapy—a simple, non-invasive treatment that’s bringing the sunshine back into people’s lives (literally and figuratively).

But before we dive into the science, I want to share a bit of my own experience.

My Experience With Bright Light Therapy

During the darker times.

I started using a bright light lamp therapy for few winters in 2019 after noticing how my energy and mood plummeted each year around the beginning of fall and darker and colder times. Mornings became harder, I felt foggy all day, and even things I normally enjoyed felt dull. It felt like a season of somewhat mild depression and I felt undertone when the amount of light was diminishing. A friend mentioned bright light therapy, and I bought a bright light lamp.

At first, I was skeptical—sitting in front of a light for 20 minutes a day sounded almost too simple. But after about a week of somewhat consistent morning use, I noticed a shift. I wasn’t magically euphoric, but it helped in my undertone. I felt more energetic.

What Is Bright Light Therapy?

Bright Light Therapy (BLT) is a treatment that involves exposure to a bright, artificial light that mimics natural sunlight. It’s most commonly used for:

• Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) – a type of depression linked to seasonal changes
• Sleep disorders – including insomnia, delayed sleep phase disorder, and jet lag
• Depression – especially when related to circadian rhythm issues
• Bipolar disorder – as part of a larger treatment plan (with supervision)

How It Works

Your body runs on a circadian rhythm—an internal clock that influences sleep, mood, and energy. Natural sunlight helps regulate this rhythm. When there’s less light (hello, winter), your internal clock can fall out of sync, throwing everything off.

Bright Light Therapy uses a special light box (typically 10,000 lux) to simulate daylight. This exposure helps reset your internal clock, boosting mood and alertness, and regulating melatonin and serotonin levels.

A Surprise Fan: My Cat and the Light Box

One unexpected thing I discovered while using bright light therapy? My cat loves it, too.

The first time I turned on the light box and tried bright lamp therapy and was finished and moved from the sofa, my cat took my place and came to sit in front of the bright light lamp his nose almost touching it. He stayed there for a quite while. Seemed like Pekka liked light therapy also. I joke that we were both fighting seasonal depression together.

Things to Know

While most people tolerate light therapy well, it’s not for everyone. Some may experience:

• Eye strain
• Headaches
• Agitation (especially if used too late in the day)

It’s best to talk to a healthcare provider first, especially if you have an eye condition, bipolar disorder, or are taking medications that affect light sensitivity.

Why some Recommend It

From my own experience, Bright Light Therapy isn’t a miracle cure—but it’s a powerful tool, for me it worked well as long as I used it for a few years. If you’re someone who dreads winter, struggles to wake up in the dark, or feels your mood shift with the seasons, bright light therapy could be worth trying.

What I love most is that it’s:

• Non-invasive
• Easy to use
• Backed by science
• Something you can do from the comfort of home

Final Thoughts

Bright Light Therapy has helped me stay grounded and balanced during the toughest months of the year in the past year of 2019 and 2020. I only needed it in two years, for my situation in life changed a lot during those years. I’d say a bright light lamp therapy is a simple way to bring a little sunlight into your life when nature doesn’t cooperate.

If you’re curious, I’d say: do your research, talk to your doctor, and give it a fair shot for a couple of weeks. You might be surprised by how much of a difference it makes.

Your Turn

Have you tried Bright Light Therapy or are you thinking about it? Feel free to share your thoughts or questions in the comments! Stay well everyone!

Sincerely, Konsta