There are a few things humans can’t live without. Water, food and air are obvious ones. But just as important is sunlight, which according to studies, most people aren’t getting enough of. Often associated with stress, the effects of sunlight deprivation include extreme fatigue, restless sleep, loss of energy, decreased sex drive, and even weight gain due to increase in appetite! And with winter approaching, these symptoms are likely to stay with sunlight becoming scarcer. Luckily, there’s an all-natural, non-invasive way to get rid of the winter doldrums – the portable Litebook® Elite™, from The Litebook Company Ltd. – the new generation of light therapy.
According to the latest Nielsen Report, the average American spends 4 hours and 32 minutes per day in front of the TV. Yet the average resident of San Diego, California, which has more sunny days than 80% of American cities, spends less than an hour per day exposed to sunlight. Sunlight deprivation has been proven to have serious negative effects on mood, energy, and sleep patterns. Yet for many people, spending time outdoors every day just isn’t realistic. And taking a pill like Prozac can have unpleasant side effects.
The new Litebook® Elite™, which produces wavelengths of light identical to the peak wavelengths of the sun – without the harmful UV rays - is the world’s first hand-held light therapy device that provides a simple, safe and effective solution to symptoms brought about by sunlight deprivation. No bigger than a portable CD player, the sleek Litebook® Elite™ is a welcome alternative to the traditional heavy and awkward light box, which more closely resembles a bulky suitcase in size and a medical contraption in style. Because of its compact size (5” x 5” x1”) and built-in rechargeable lithium-ION battery feature, the Litebook® Elite™ is easy to use; it can be placed on a desk or vanity, or tucked away in a purse or briefcase. That means it can be used while reading, eating, applying make-up, working at a computer or desk, or even in the gym. And unlike its clunky cousin, which is built with fluorescent tubes, the Litebook® Elite™ employs leading edge LED (light emitting diode) technology and a custom Fresnel lens to create a dazzlingly bright yet soothing oval of white light.
The mechanics of light therapy are simple: it involves directing a bright light source at the user’s eyes. It is not necessary to stare at the light (just as you don’t stare at the sun), but rather have the light shining on your eyes while you perform other tasks – like sunlight coming in through the window. Light receptors in the retina trigger a cascade of messages throughout the body. Ultimately, the brain reacts as if it’s a bright sunny day in July, even if it’s the middle of winter. When used every day, a light box can improve mood, increase energy and regulate sleep patterns.
Light therapy is nothing new; it has been exhaustively researched at leading institutions worldwide for over 20 years. What is new is this particular light therapy product.
Due to its patented white light LED technology, the Litebook® Elite™ has several advantages over traditional light boxes. First, it’s the smallest light box on the market: It literally fits in the palm of your hand. Second, it uses only one tenth the energy of a conventional light box, so it’s easy on your electric bill…and the environment. Third, it has a lifespan up to 100,000 hours – that’s an impressive 12 years if left on 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Compare that to the 5,000 hours the typical fluorescent tube box lasts. And perhaps most importantly, the Litebook® Elite™ gives off light that peaks in the exact blue wavelength that we humans need for physical and emotional well-being – without the harmful UV. Which brings up another advantage: the Litebook® Elite™ provides the same benefit as a regular light box, but in less time.
Historically, light therapy was measured in LUX. The standard “prescription” for bright light therapy was 10,000 LUX for 30 minutes a day. However, scientific studies now show the type of wavelength one is exposed to (blue and green are most therapeutic) is more important than the intensity of the light. Since the Litebook Elite gives off more of the blue and green wavelengths than traditional light boxes, it provides the same benefits in less time. The Litebook Company says its therapeutic light is equivalent to 10,000 LUX in only 15 minutes of use.
The Litebook® Elite™ is a sleeker version of the original Litebook®, which debuted in 2001 and has been sold in 42 countries. So far, it’s been very well received. “The Litebook® has very strong word-of-mouth,” said company founder Larry Pederson. “We get letters all the time from people saying how much it has changed their life.” That’s not just talk. Despite the 60-day money-back guarantee, The Litebook® enjoys an extremely low return rate. The product, which is encased in an injection-molded impact-resistant ABS plastic outer shell, is also backed by a 2-year warranty. For those that dread those dark, winter months, things just got a little brighter!
