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A person wearing yellows rubber boots walks on a rainy street next to the words "Light on a Rainy Day"

November 14, 2023

Light therapy lamps now available at Health Sciences Library

Feeling the effects of Seattle's gloomy winters?

The University of Washington Health Sciences Library currently has three Lumie Vitamin L lamps, also known as happy lamps, available for in-library use. Research demonstrates that bright lamps can provide benefits to wellness by reducing stress and fatigue and improving focus, alertness, and more.

Visit the HSL information desk by the upper floor entrance to check out a lamp, and find additional campus resources on the HSL Health and Wellness guide.

USAGE INSTRUCTIONS

  • Sit with the lamp at approximately arm’s length so the light is shining towards your face.
  • You do not need to stare directly at the lamp, but the light must reach your eyes to have an effect.
  • It can be used while using a computer, reading, etc.
  • Dark glasses, tinted lenses, or closing your eyes limit the effects of the light therapy.
  • Using the lamp within three hours of bedtime may make it difficult to fall asleep.
  • Do not use the lamp if you have photosensitivity or recently had eye surgery.

 

Distance (inches) Light received (lux) Recommend time (minutes)

6

10,000

30

12

5,000

30-60
20 2,500

60-120

 

The purchase of this light therapy lamp was generously supported by the UW Student Technology Fee and the UW Libraries.

Logo for the University of Washington Student Technology Fee

ADDITIONAL LIGHT THERAPY RESEARCH

Brouwer, A., Nguyen, H. ‐T., Snoek, F. J., van Raalte, D. H., Beekman, A. T. F., Moll, A. C., & Bremmer, M. A. (2017). Light therapy: Is it safe for the eyes? Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica, 136(6), 534–548. doi: /10.1111/acps.12785

House, L. A., & Walton, B. (2018). The effectiveness of light therapy for college student depression. Journal of College Student Psychotherapy, 32(1), 42–52. doi: /10.1080/87568225.2017.1321975

Mårtensson, B., Pettersson, A., Berglund, L., & Ekselius, L. (2015). Bright white light therapy in depression: A critical review of the evidence. Journal of Affective Disorders, 182, 1–7. doi: /10.1016/j.jad.2015.04.013.

Mayo Clinic. (2022). Light therapy. https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/light-therapy/about/pac-20384604.  

Teixeira, L., Lowden, A., da Luz, A. A., Turte, S. L., Moreno, C. R., Valente, D., Nagai-Manelli, R., Louzada, F. M., & Fischer, F. M. (2013). Exposure to bright light during evening class hours increases alertness among working college students. Sleep Medicine, 14(1), 91–97. doi: /10.1016/j.sleep.2012.08.017. 

The UW Health Sciences Library has three Lumie L light therapy lamps available for in-library use.