Do you feel tired all the time? Are you having trouble sleeping, or feeling down more often than not? You might be surprised to learn that the solution could be as simple as wearing light therapy glasses. You can also learn more about red light therapy benefits for sleep at Heliotherapy Research Institute.

In this article, we will answer some common questions about how light therapy works, and how it can help improve your sleep and mood.

What is Light Therapy and How Does It Work?

Light therapy is the practice of using light to treat a variety of health conditions, including sleep disorders and mood disorders.

Light is part of the electromagnetic spectrum between infrared and ultraviolet radiation. It’s visible to the human eye when it passes through an object (like the lens of your eye) and causes that object to produce a chemical reaction that your brain then interprets as vision. It helps regulate your internal clock, or circadian rhythm, which is responsible for things like when you feel tired and how well you sleep.

The type of light used in light therapy is called white light. It’s made up of all the colors of the rainbow, and each color has a different effect on your body. The blue end of the spectrum is more energizing, while the red end has a calming effect. For example, blue light can suppress melatonin production and make you feel alert while red light may increase serotonin levels and improve mood.

Light therapy works by mimicking natural sunlight to help regulate your body’s internal clock. It also stimulates certain parts of the brain that are associated with moods such as serotonin and dopamine.

There are a few different ways to get light therapy, including sitting in front of a bright light box, taking a walk outside on a sunny day, or wearing light therapy glasses.

Light therapy boxes emit ultraviolet-free white light that is said to have the same benefits as natural sunlight. To use one, you sit in front of it for a certain amount of time each day.

Walking outside on a sunny day is another way to get light therapy. The sun emits all the colors of the spectrum, but the blue end of the light spectrum is most beneficial for regulating your internal clock.

Finally, there are light therapy glasses that you can wear to get the same effect as sitting in front of a lightbox or going outside. They’re designed to mimic sunlight and have been shown to improve sleep, mood, and even energy levels when worn for at least 30 minutes each day.

Conditions That Positively Respond to Light

Light therapy is an effective treatment for a variety of conditions, including insomnia, seasonal affective disorder (SAD), morning sleepiness, and more.

Insomnia

Insomnia is a sleep disorder that causes you to have trouble falling or staying asleep. It can lead to fatigue, irritability, and problems concentrating during the day.

Light therapy is an effective treatment for insomnia. One study found that participants who used light therapy glasses for 30 minutes each morning had less difficulty falling asleep and woke up less often during the night.

Another study found that people with chronic insomnia who used a light therapy box for two hours each day saw an improvement in their sleep quality.

Light therapy works by increasing levels of melatonin, a hormone that helps you fall asleep. It also can help reset your body’s internal clock and improve your sleep schedule.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

SAD is defined as a seasonal major depressive disorder that recurs each year and is related to the change of seasons. SAD occurs most often in winter months when days are shorter and darker, but it can also occur in summer months with decreased sunlight exposure.

Light therapy has been shown as an effective treatment for many people with seasonal affective disorder.

The randomized, controlled study found that exposure to bright white light was more effective than a placebo at reducing symptoms of depression in patients with SAD.

Another study found that light therapy in the form of a lightbox is effective for treating seasonal affective disorder, but that it can take up to two weeks for symptoms to improve. 

In conclusion, light therapy is an effective treatment for seasonal affective disorder, and it may take a few weeks for symptoms to improve.

Delayed Sleep Syndrome

(DSP) is a common problem with many people. It is a condition in which an individual experiences difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep, despite being able to sleep during the day. DSP is a circadian rhythm disorder that affects about 15% of the population.

The main cause of delayed sleep syndrome is exposure to light in the evening or at night, which stimulates wakefulness by activating the brain’s sleep-wake circuitry. This effect can last for several hours, even after you have gone to bed. Exposure to light at night can also suppress the secretion of melatonin, a hormone that helps you fall asleep.

The good news is there are treatments available for delayed sleep syndrome. One treatment option is light therapy glasses. Light therapy glasses help to adjust your circadian rhythm by exposing you to bright light in the morning. This stimulation helps to activate your brain’s sleep-wake circuitry and promote feelings of wakefulness.

Light therapy glasses are an effective treatment for delayed sleep syndrome. In a study published in the journal Sleep, light therapy glasses were found to improve sleep quality, mood, and daytime functioning in people with DSP. The participants who wore the light therapy glasses reported an improvement in sleep quality, mood, and daytime functioning.

Jet Lag

Jet lag is a common term used to describe the effects of traveling across time zones. When you fly to a new destination, your body clock is thrown off balance. This can result in symptoms such as fatigue, difficulty sleeping, and nausea.

Light therapy glasses may help reduce the symptoms of jet lag. By wearing light therapy glasses for a short time each day, you can help reset your body clock and minimize the effects of jet lag.

There was a study where participants were asked to wear light therapy glasses for 30 minutes a day for two weeks. The researchers found that the participants had fewer symptoms of jet lag, including fatigue and trouble sleeping.

In addition to helping with jet lag, light therapy glasses may also improve mood and reduce the risk of depression in some people.

Another study found that participants who wore light therapy glasses for 30 minutes a day had higher levels of serotonin and lower levels of cortisol. Serotonin is a hormone that helps regulate mood and sleep, while cortisol is a stress hormone.

Side Effects of Light Therapy

Light therapy is a safe way to treat some health conditions, but it’s best done under the supervision of a qualified physician. Light therapy can be dangerous if not used properly or if you have certain medical conditions that make it unsafe for your body.

The most common side effects include:

• Headaches;
• Dizziness;
• Nausea or vomiting due to increased sensitivity to light (photophobia);
• Eye irritation or discomfort;
• Agitation, anxiety, or restlessness (especially in people with bipolar disorder).

If these symptoms occur, stop using the lights immediately and see a doctor if necessary. 

What are Light Therapy Glasses?

Light therapy glasses are eyeglasses that have a light source on the bridge of the nose. The light is designed to shine directly into the eyes and provide exposure to bright white light.

This type of light has been shown to help improve sleep quality and mood. It can be an effective treatment for people who suffer from seasonal affective disorder (SAD) or winter blues.

Light therapy glasses are also being studied as a potential treatment for other conditions, such as sleep apnea and jet lag.

The light emitted by the glasses is not harmful to the eyes and does not cause vision problems. It may even help protect against eye diseases such as macular degeneration and cataracts.

What to know about Selecting Light Glasses

Light therapy glasses are a great way to improve your mood and sleep. Here’s what you need to know about selecting the right pair:

• Make sure that the glasses block out blue light from screens and other devices

This type of light has been shown to disrupt our natural sleep rhythm.

• Look for glasses with amber or red lenses

These colors are known to help promote relaxation and sleepiness.

• Consider the type of light therapy you would like to use 

There are glasses designed for general use, as well as ones that target specific issues like Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).

• Be sure to read the reviews before making a purchase

The best light therapy glasses will be comfortable and effective.

• If you’re not sure which glasses to choose, consult your doctor or a sleep specialist

They can help you find the right pair for your needs.

Conclusion

Light therapy is a treatment that uses natural or artificial light to treat various medical conditions. Light therapy is an effective treatment for sleep disorders and mood disorders.

There are many different types of light therapy devices available for the treatment of sleep and mood disorders. The most common light therapy devices are full-spectrum lamps, lightboxes, and light therapy glasses.

So if you are suffering from sleep or mood disorders, light therapy may be a safe and effective treatment option.