Are you getting enough sunlight every day? During the spring and summer, it’s estimated that we need 10 to 20 minutes of exposure to the sun on a daily basis. But, this is easier said than done. Many of us are stuck in offices for 8 hours of the day or more. We have errands to run and chores to do at home, as well. The result? Not getting as much sunlight as recommended by doctors.
During the fall and winter, it’s even more difficult. The weather is cold, cloudy, and the sun doesn’t shine through as often. The temperature makes us not even want to go outside to begin with. This is why seasonal depression or SAD(seasonal affective disorder) is so common during this time of the year. Your brain relies on sunlight to kickstart different bodily functions like boosting serotonin for example.
- Offers 10,000 lux at a comfortable distance of up to 18 inches, UV blocked
- Fully adjust the height and angle at which the light shines for a truly…
- Electronically powered ballast assures reliable performance with no flicker and…
Without proper sunlight, you might feel lazy, unmotivated, and it can even affect your skin health. There’s a healthy way to get the sunlight you need every day without stepping outside of the house, though. It’s called light therapy.
It’s the practice of using a light therapy lamp or similar equipment to shine high intensity light in your eyes. Just like the real sun, you don’t look directly into it, but rather sit it off to the side to reap the benefits. Your brain reacts to it as if its real sunlight, promoting a better mood, focus, and alertness.
It’s recommended to get at least 2,000 lux daily. The light therapy lamp we’ll be reviewing today provides up to 10,000 lux, which is clinical strength and the equivalent to direct sunlight. Lux is simply a unit of measurement for light.
The results can be felt instantly and usually takes a maximum of one week if otherwise. The effects build up over time so you’ll want to make a consistent habit of using your light therapy lamp.
The 10,000 lux light therapy desk lamp from North Light is a bit different than other ones we’ve reviewed. That is because it’s made specifically for mounting onto desks while you work or study. You get to boost your health while you do something productive and the lamp will increase your concentration.
Continue reading if you’d like to learn about the light quality, pricing, and more of the North Light 10,000 lux desk lamp.
Box Contents
Most of the light therapy lamps we’ve reviewed come in a package that literally only weighs a single pound or two. Once the North Light desk lamp arrived, we immediately noticed the package was heavier, weighing approximately 11 lbs.
Opening it up, the lamp itself is folded up and safely stored within the box. There is a power cord that comes along with it and a user manual. 36 watt light bulbs are also included so you don’t have to buy them separately.
Light Intensity
At a distance of 18 inches, this North Light therapy lamp emits 10,000 lux. This is the ideal amount for improving your mood, focus, and alertness. It’s recommended to use it for 20 minutes per day. A small time investment is all you need with a high intensity therapy lamp like this.
LED vs Fluorescent Light Bulbs
TIt’s debated whether LED or fluorescent light bulbs are better for light therapy. There are pros and cons to both that you should be aware of. Northern Lights uses special LED tubes in this desk lamp specifically.
LED(light emitting diode) is a much safer alternative compared to fluorescent lighting and other common types of bulbs. Fluorescent bulbs contain mercury among other chemicals which are added during production. While not harmful in general, if the glass is ever to be broken by accident, it creates a serious health risk. LED on the other hand is eco-friendly and can be recycled.
Fluorescent light bulbs do typically come at a cheaper price. If you’re on a bootstrap budget and want to keep costs low, they make a good choice, But, here’s the trade off. They use more electricity and aren’t as energy efficient as LED. What this means is that you might spend a few more dollars for LED bulbs but it will save you more money in the long run. Look at it as an investment.
As well, the actual quality of light from LED tubes are better than incandescent or fluorescent. Alternatives tend to fade over time. They gradually lose power and aren’t as bright as their lifespan goes on. That’s problematic when you use them for a light therapy lamp. It won’t shine as bright and give you the same benefits it once did. To keep your mood high and focus sharp, we suggest using LED tubes.
Northern Light even sells replacement tubes for the desk model if you want to get the best possible lights.
Light Quality
The light tubes that the Northern Light therapy desk lamp uses have a lifespan of 20,000 hours. They are 36 watts and are genuine replacements when you need to get yourself new ones. This paired with their ultraviolet ray blocking abilities makes the light quality not only intense, but safe.
Portability, Size and Design
Most of the light therapy lamps we’ve reviewed have been small, compact, and lightweight. Not this one. The desk light therapy lamp from Northern Light weighs in at 8 lbs. While not overly heavy, it’s definitely bulkier and weighs more than many on the market.
The shade of the lamp is 8 inches tall and 18 inches wide. The base is 6 inches wide, 11 inches long, and only 1 ½ inches tall. It is completely adjustable to get it just right as you read, study, or work.
The lamp itself is a light beige and aesthetically looks like it would be in a doctors office. Other light therapy lamps have a much friendlier and modern appeal to them. Due to the size and weight, it won’t be as easy to travel with. Portability is a slight issue unless you don’t mind some extra work getting it around.
- Offers 10,000 lux at a comfortable distance of up to 18 inches, UV blocked
- Fully adjust the height and angle at which the light shines for a truly…
- Electronically powered ballast assures reliable performance with no flicker and…
Full Spectrum
With this desk lamp, you get 3500k colour temperature and full spectrum lighting. No ultraviolet rays are omitted which keeps your skin and eyes safe. The wavelength spectrum consists of many different frequencies, ranging from infrared to ultraviolet. They all have different visibility and effects on our bodies. Some are beneficial, while others are not.
Northern Light developed this light therapy desk lamp to only supply full spectrum white light. You get all of the good components of the wavelength spectrum without any of the bad. In case you are unaware, ultraviolet rays can cause the following harm:
- Sunburn and redness of the skin
- Different forms of skin cancer
- Damage to your eyesight
- Suppression of your immune system
- Aging of the skin
- Acne and other skin conditions
Cost
This lamp is definitely for people more serious about light therapy because of the price. It’s one of the most expensive 10,000 lux desk lamps you can buy at the moment. For example, the Verilux full size light therapy lamp is less than half of the cost. Northern Light does make up for it in quality and longevity, though.
Overview
Do you find yourself sitting at a desk many hours throughout the day? Then investing in a light therapy desk lamp might be one of the best choices you make this year. Light therapy will improve your mood, focus, and more by providing you with the light you need every day.
We gave this lamp a 4 star rating simply because of the size and weight compared to how lightweight other therapy lamps are. The price as well will hold some back from buying this one. But, it has many perks that you won’t want to miss out on.
Firstly, it offers 3500k colour temperature and 10,000 lux intensity. The LED tubes last 20,000 hours each and only omit safe white light. Blue light has been studied recently and shown that it can actually hurt your eyes in the long term.
- Offers 10,000 lux at a comfortable distance of up to 18 inches, UV blocked
- Fully adjust the height and angle at which the light shines for a truly…
- Electronically powered ballast assures reliable performance with no flicker and…
It uses full spectrum lighting while removing ultraviolet rays and lowering EMF’s as much as possible. The light covers a much bigger surface area compared to smaller lamps, too. Flickering and humming is completely non-existent which stops it from distracting you.
If you’re serious about getting the most out of a light therapy session, this lamp from Northern Light is a wise investment. You can have peace of mind knowing you’re buying from a company that co-founded the Circadian Lighting Association and attends annual conferences on healthy lighting solutions.
