Light therapy is a well-known treatment for seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Symptoms of SAD include lethargy, increased craving for carbohydrates and a corresponding weight gain. Promising early results of studies suggest that dieters might want to supplement other proven efforts -- eating better and exercising more -- with light therapy.
Light Therapy
Light therapy for SAD involves sitting in front of a lightbox for at least 30 minutes each morning. Brighter lights are usually more effective, and your eyes should be 18 to 21 inches from the lightbox, according to John Eagles, a consultant psychiatrist at Scotland's Royal Cornhill Hospital. People usually notice improved moods in one to three weeks, if it's going to work at all. As of January, 2011, Iightboxes cost about $170 to $400. Alternatives to lightboxes include light visors and alarm clocks that simulate dawn.
Toronto Study
Inspired by the correlation between SAD and weight gain, researchers in Toronto decided to study whether light therapy could help overweight patients pare away fat. A group of researchers from Toronto Western Hospital, led by psychiatrist Dr. Colin Shapiro, recruited 29 subjects, who were divided into two groups. Both groups exercised for 30 minutes three times a week. But one group also did light therapy for up to an hour per day. At the end of the six-week study, both groups lost weight. But while the percentage of body fat on the control group held steady, those who did light therapy lost about 2 percent of their body fat.
Weight and Depression
Your weight might be connected with your mental health. Depression often causes weight gain and makes it harder to take off. Symptoms of depression include loss of interest, poor motivation, social withdrawal and irritability. Winter depression is especially tied to weight gain, as many people experience an increased craving for chocolate and carbohydrates. Even those who faithfully exercise in the summer may become lethargic and lose all motivation to exercise once autumn sets in. Bulimia often intensifies in winter.
Side Effects of Light Therapy
The most common side effects of light therapy are blurred vision and headaches. Both of these can be decreased by looking past the lightbox rather than staring right at it. Some patients report feeling wired, as though they drank too much caffeine. If you use a lightbox too late in the day, you might suffer from insomnia. If you take photosensitizing medications or have macular degeneration or other serious eye problems, consult your doctor before embarking on light therapy.
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