How do you use your lightbox?

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Anonymous
joined 6 Jan 2009
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Posted by Anonymous, 19:56 17 February 2004

I don't sit very close, but I go up to it every 15 minutes then look at it for 2 minutes. I don't have a fixed stare, but blink a bit, and swivel my eyes thinking that that might expose more of the retinal photoreceptors to light.

I do this for 2- 2.5 hours soon after waking. ! hour dddooesn't help. Between times I can go on my computer, have a shower, breakfast, watch TV taped the night before.

It was recommended when I bought the box to place it near me and glance every so often, but I found I couldn't do this.

I'm interested to hear others' experiences.

tinted

Pete
joined 31 Jan 2004
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Posted by Pete, 23:21 17 February 2004

interesting..... I just sit in front of it for 30 minites and then go outside look for the sun in my spear time. I used to do an hour a day but as I'm so low in energy I really don't have any patients to sit and stare at it, I sit as close as I can about 10 inches. But I used to have the same routine as you at one point I used to do a total of 4 hours one day but with intervals and beleve it or not it had no major effect on me.... SAD is a mistery to me but light theroy certainly makes me feel better.

siddy
joined 22 Jan 2003
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Posted by siddy, 07:41 18 February 2004

Hello,

I have my lightbox placed on the computer so that I am encouraged to use it. If you read or have another activity/hobby you enjoy sitting down to try to mix the two so that you can sit without getting bored. I use mine for a minimum of an hour in the morning and an hour at say six or 7 pm or earlier if i feel i am 'drooping'. I don't look at the light but it is angled towards my face. I do notice sometimes that i do squint so have to relax!

Do look at the recommended distance you are advised to sit from the box and put on additional house lighting if the contrast between the room light and the box seems too dramatic. You probably need to sit approx within arms reach to get the best effect.

Julie in Sussex
joined 21 Jan 2003
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Posted by Julie in Sussex, 09:39 18 February 2004

Hi

Like Siddy, I have a Satellite which sits on a computer tray securely fixed on top of my computer monitor. I work from an office @ home and need to be at my desk at least all morning, so this is an ideal spot. The light also is directed down towards my face, much as the sun would be, which I understand is the most desirable angle.

Do you use your computer much? Where ever you spend most of your relaxing time (as in you don't move around all the time), like TV, reading, listening to music, perhaps would be the best place to use your lightbox. What sort do you have? In the instructions that came with it it will tell you exactly the correct distance from the box that your face should be.

It's true, it's very difficult to fine tune what is best for you, but you will get there. How long have you been trying to sort out your personal timing plan? Whatever, stick with it even if it's hard, I am sure you will benefit in the long term.

Julie :D

Anonymous
joined 6 Jan 2009
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Posted by Anonymous, 10:57 18 February 2004

I had a look at the Satellite lamps and might try one. They are a bit pricey for me, but I could get one on trial to see if it works. The box I have now is too big to fit on the table where my computer is.

tinted

Julie in Sussex
joined 21 Jan 2003
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Posted by Julie in Sussex, 11:17 18 February 2004

Hi again Tinted

I began with an Apollo Lightbox, but found it simply huge and rather unweildy, very hard to find a perfect spot for it honestly, as I needed it mainly on my desk or in the sitting room. But the Satellite seems incredibly versitile for what I need, as it works rather like an angle poise desk lamp, just has a far wider head (18" x 8"). As a result it can squat, or extend and become reasonably tall.

True, it is a lot of money, but once bought the only maintenance is bulbs at intervals, and I find mine amazingly beneficial. At the end of the day it's the price of a cheap 'City Break' which only lasts 3 days, the Satellite has done more for me than a City Break I can tell you!

All this honing and fine tuning is a drag and a bit costly, but once you find your best equipment and routine, things do get so much better... :D Julie

Pete
joined 31 Jan 2004
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Posted by Pete, 16:28 19 February 2004

My first and the only light therapy device I'm using is an apollo light box, I'm so lucky I found the most perfect spot for it, I have these metal shelves in my room and on the top one I have my tv, my chair faces the selves so I can watch tv and I simple put it in one of the empty ones shelves thats level with my eyes so I can watch tv and do light therapy at the same time makes time go alot faster. The trick is to get the light box in a place where it can reach your eyes effectively and be entertained at the same time if you can do this your light therapy time will fly..

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