10 Not-Clunky SAD Lamps to Help Boost Your Energy Level This Winter

No, it's not just you — the colder months can be hard for a lot of people. These feelings of depression, fatigue, and disinterest in social activities are typically caused by Seasonal Affective Disorder, also known as SAD, and roughly 1 in 20 people in the U.S. population lives with this affliction.

Along with getting some more movement into your days (like using a treadmill desk to get your steps in while you work), practicing mindfulness with a meditation app, and getting your thoughts down in a gratitude journal, another popular and low-risk way to help alleviate the feelings of SAD is to use a light-therapy device known as a SAD lamp to begin your day with a much-needed dose of brightness.

The Best SAD Lamps:

What Issues Can SAD Lamps Help Alleviate?

“SAD is a pattern of significant depressive symptoms that occur and then disappear with the changing of the seasons,” says Dr. Deborah Serani, psychologist and author of Living With Depression. “It affects millions worldwide, primarily occurring in areas of higher latitudes from the equator, and it tends to be found more in females than males.”

Because winter days are so short, most people find themselves feeling affected by SAD due to a lack of exposure to natural sunlight. “Individuals with SAD often have an ultra sensitive body clock, called circadian rhythm, which gets thrown off when exposed to less sunlight,” says Serani. “Though it can help to spend more time outdoors and use sunshine to your advantage, I always recommend patients to invest in light-therapy devices because they can better control the timing and dosage of artificial light.”

What to Consider

Size

While the SAD lamps of yesteryear tended to be large, clunky devices that took up an entire tabletop, many models today are small, sleek, and usually portable. In addition to wintertime use, frequent travelers may also find that packing and using a smaller SAD lamp can help lessen the impact of jet lag so that their circadian rhythm can better adapt to a new time zone.

We've included the dimensions of each SAD lamp in this guide to help you get a sense of how big they are and if they'd work for your space.

Light Power

With a few exceptions we've noted below, all of the SAD lamps in this guide are equipped with 10,000 lux light, which is the recommended standard for these products. Some of these models also include unique features like color temperature adjustment, and timer functions, which may make them more comfortable and convenient for you to use.

Correct Use

To use a SAD lamp, you should place it about a foot away from you and face toward (without staring directly at) its light. When you do this on a morning schedule for up to 30 minutes a day, it has been shown to be an effective, low-side-effect supplement to one's morning routine. However, it's recommended that you consult with your doctor before using a light-therapy device and not use it in place of regular medication or therapy.

Here are the 10 best SAD lamps to help you find brighter days ahead.