Newbie needs lightbox help

Hi! I have suffered depression most of my life. It always gets worse in the fall. I decided to try a light box this year instead of upping my meds.

How soon does it start working? I actually did feel better the second day I used it, but didn't know if this was just placebo. Whatever, I'll take it!

Also, I overslept yesterday and today and wasn't sure if I should use it. As I understand it, I am supposed to use it when I first get up in the AM. What if I can't? Yesterday, I had 3 little boys to get to school and babysitters. should I have used it when I got back home?

In order to use it before the morning prep for school chaos begins, I need to be up by 5AM (5:30 at the latest). I can see this being rough on many mornings when I can't get out of bed.

Any advice is very welcome!

Carol Anne

Carolanne

I also have 3 boys 2 at school, one at nursery.

I am well now, but until 2 weeks ago I dealt with my SAD by waking up half hour earlier at 6.30am. You might be able to steal sometime infront of the lightbox whilst eating breakfast and a cuppa, or whilst ironing etc.

I then generally had a top up in the afternoon, or early evening (if I was going out) or both if I was particularly shattered.

It does help, but its an awful routine until you get used to it. Once established your personal bodyclock will adjust and it wont seem so bad.

Good Luck

Me x

its not a placebo chuck, it really does work. Just wait for you the day when you dont use it - youll notice the difference!!

I once asked Lumie to incorporate a button on the dawn simulator, so that it could come on quicky but gradually when I needed to get up, not when I had to get up. For example, when my kids woke me up in the morning and it was still pitch black. I didnt want to keep pushing the + button every minute to increase the light. No luck there yet.

Its very hard when you have a baby, but hopefully, you may still have the option of getting your head down in the afternoon if youre not working.

Dont forget that SAD is a condition and to pace yourself flower. Dont do what you dont need to - and dont feel guilty about it either. Thats a good skill to learn.

Im told that babies can be trained, but in my experience I think it was they that were doing the training!!! My kids must be brighter than I thought!!!!

Take care, youll get through this .

Me x