Light therapy lamps, or Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) Lamps, mimic outdoor natural light. Late fall and winter months in Canada tend to lack sunshine, which can affect individuals in different ways, including lowering mood, decreasing energy and over-sleeping.
Exposure to light that mimics sunlight is believed to alter brain chemicals that moderate mood, helping to relieve feelings of fatigue, anxiety, low mood, and loss of motivation that can commonly occur during the winter months. In as little as 20-30 minutes a day, symptoms can be relieved by using light therapy.
The Students’ Association of RDC has provided two light therapy lamps for use by RDC students. The lamps are available for 2-hour loan from RDC Library, for use anywhere on campus.