Litebook ® Elite™ Light Therapy for Depression

Seasons can have a profound impact on mood. Consider how you feel during the summer months when the sun is shining in the morning and after you leave work. Now consider driving to work on a cold, dark winter morning. If you don't get out of the office during the day, you may not be exposed to any sunlight. If you're vulnerable to the winter blues, you may experience a shift in mood that affects your ability to thrive.

According to the U.S. National Mental Health Association (2002), up to 25 per cent of North Americans experience some form of winter blues, and at least twice as many women as men develop this condition. Most experience such feelings between the ages of 20 and 40, but even young children may suffer. Approximately 5 per cent of North Americans experience a severe form of winter blues called Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), which is medically recognized as a sub-type of major depression.

In addition to our rTMS treatment for Depression we advice clients who experience a cyclical pattern in their depression (more severe symptoms during winter) to use light therapy as a treatment to prevent possible relapse during the darker winter days.
 

Now: €   229,90  incl. 19% tax  (excl. shipment outside of The Netherlands)

Go to the ordering procedue by clicking the button "ORDER HERE" and within a couple of days you will have your own Litebook Elite at home!

Turn on the light of the Litebook Elite, mobile light therapy with solar power!. In only 15 to 30 minutes per day you will feel fit, energetic and it will improve your sleep.

The Litebook® Elite™ is the new generation of light therapy, the result of years of research and development in hand-held light therapy devices. This new model features a custom lens and diffusion system which, combined with the high-performance white LEDs that all Litebook products are known for, produces a uniform field of bright yet soothing light. Additional new features for the Elite™ include a multiple-setting timer (15-30-45-60 minutes) and a long-lasting built-in rechargeable lithium-ION battery with a charge indicator – all of this in a compact, sleek, new design which fits into your lifestyle. When used everyday, the Litebook® Elite™ will improve your mood, increase your energy level and restore your sleep patterns. Most people notice results within 30 days - often sooner.
 

Do you have the Winter Blues?
If you get the winter blues, you may experience:

• Fatigue
• Difficulty concentrating
• Depressed mood or depressive feelings
• Irritability
• Carbohydrate cravings, especially comfort foods like chocolate, bread and pasta
• Weight gain
• Social withdrawal
• Low sex drive

These problems disappear in the spring. Some people find they leave quickly, while others find they gradually dissipate. If you experience three or more of these problems year-round, you may be suffering what is called Body Blues.

Most people who suffer from the winter blues respond well to the regulated bright light therapy provided by The Litebook®. If, however, you feel down for long periods during fall and winter, and notice significant changes in your appetite and sleep patterns, you might want to consult a physician.

Litebook®Elite™

You will receive a Litebook Elite including the following accessories and warranties:

• Timer (15-30-45-60 mins)
• 100-240V AC adapter
• built-in battery
• Nylon carrying case
• User Manual
• 2 years technical warranty

Download the order form under the button "ORDER HERE" and within a couple of days you will have your own Litebook Elite at home!

(excl. shipment outside of The Netherlands)

Jetlag

Have you ever noticed that when you travel to a new time zone you feel tired, your mood is low, you have trouble sleeping when you want or have difficulty concentrating? You could be suffering from the effects of jet lag.

Jet lag, or dysrhythmia, occurs after east-west travel when your body clock isn't synchronized with your new time zone. It can disrupt more than 50 physiological and psychological rhythms. It gets worse with age – particularly after age 50. Unaided, it takes your body 1 day per time zone to readjust. It may take 2 to 3 weeks to completely realign your rhythms.

Until recently, jet lag was dismissed as merely an unpleasant side effect of air travel. New research suggests that it may also cause memory loss, shrinkage of parts of the brain and negative side effects on blood pressure. The good news is: now there is help.

Clinical research conducted at NASA and elsewhere demonstrates that in only 2 days your body clock can be reset to your new time zone with properly timed exposure to sufficiently bright light in specific wavelengths. With proper use of The Litebook®, your energy, mood, concentration, and sleep patterns can all be reset to your new time zone in as little as 60 minutes.

Shift Work Sleep Disorder

In today's wired world, many of us work all hours of the day or night, which affects our well-being and safety. Fatigue among shift workers is an internationally recognized problem across multiple industries.

Night workers are just as likely as day workers to perform tasks requiring attention to detail, reasoning, decision-making, and other mental skills. Many night workers don't fit the stereotype of the shift worker. Think of actors, musicians, television news anchors, computer programmers, doctors on call, diplomats, business executives, and just about anyone who works long or irregular hours.

What is the impact of shift work?
A night worker, even one who has slept reasonably well, is no more alert between 2 AM and 8 AM than a day worker who has slept only 4 hours per night, 2 nights in a row. The cost of mistakes made by fatigued workers—including lost production, missed days from work, and medical costs—exceeds an estimated $100 billion annually in North America alone.

There are many indicators of fatigue, including:

• Wandering and disconnected thoughts
• Headaches or stomach aches
• Drowsiness during shift and inability to sleep after shift
• Inattention to minor but potentially important details
• Degraded mental abilities (including memory, decision-making, and perception)
• Increased distractibility and irritability

What can be done to lessen the adverse effects of shift work?
Clinical research now confirms that bright light, in specific wavelengths, can help shift the internal body clock and regulate sleep patterns when used for 30 to 40 minutes upon waking. With proper use of The Litebook®, shift workers and people who work irregular hours can feel more alert, energetic, and, in turn, notice an improvement in on-the-job performance.

Poor Sleep

As the body ages, the circadian clock begins to change. Individuals in their 50s and 60s can experience changes in their sleeping patterns, which can affect their quality of life.

There are multiple factors at play, including the weakening of the circadian rhythms, which control wake/sleep behaviors. Another factor is that most older adults, especially those in nursing homes, receive inadequate light. In one sample of a nursing home, patients received only 1.6 minutes of bright light exposure per day.

How do you know if you are light deprived?
Due to the changes in circadian rhythms and insufficient bright light exposure, many seniors may experience:

Sleep fragmentation
Sleepiness early evening and wakefulness in the middle of the night
Interrupted sleep
Wandering
How can the 50 plus reset their body clock?
Clinical studies have shown that as we age, we respond favorably to bright light exposure. Depending on the exact nature of the individual’s sleep difficulties, he or she may benefit from 30 minutes of light exposure. The amount of time exposed to bright light is different for every individual. To develop a schedule that best meet your needs, you should seek advice from your health professional.

Bright light exposure is not recommended for individuals with a history of cataracts or macular degeneration, or who have undergone corrective laser eye surgery in the past 30 days.