Question:

#1 For the SAD light to be effective, must it be used with other lighting turned off? #2 how long should I sit in front of it? #3 must I be looking directly toward the light for it to work? #4 when is the best time to use it? in the morning or before bed? Or does it really matter? #5 If its ok to use in the morning, can I have it come on before I wake up and still get the desired effect? In other words, do I need to be awake to get the effective therapy?

Answer:

#1 For the SAD light to be effective, must it be used with other > lighting turned off?

No.

> #2 how long should I sit in front of it?

Depends on the intensity.

> #3 must I be looking directly toward the light for it to work?

I never did.

> #4 when is the best time to use it? in the morning or before bed? Or > does it > really matter?

I used it when it was most convenient. The goal is to 'receive' as much natural light as possible in a 24 hour period. The primary reason for SAD is that there are less hours of natural sunlight during the winter season.

> #5 If its ok to use in the morning, can I have it come on before I > wake up and still get the desired effect?

No.

> In other words, do I need to > be awake to get the effective therapy?

Yes.

Althoug I haven't used such a light for many years, at the time I discovered that there were some special screw-type bulbs available that emitted more naturual light, that the regular light bulb. So I put flurescent bulbs like those in my SAD light in my desk lamps and the screw-type whereever I spent any time. I would turn on the SAD light for a period of time while I was at my desk.

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