Is increased exposure to normal room light therapeutic, without the use of special apparatus?
For many people with winter depression, and especially those with the milder doldrums, it can be helpful to increase the amount of indoor lighting with regular lamps. This is also true for people who live or work in dim environments. However, research studies show that most sufferers of SAD and winter doldrums require exposure to much higher light levels. Such therapeutic levels are usually at least five times higher (as measured in lux or foot-candles by a light meter) than provided by ordinary indoor lamps and ceiling fixtures in the home or office.
