Light therapy, that is to say exposure to a high intensity lamp, is an effective means of combating seasonal depression, especially during a period of health restrictions.

Doctor Jimmy Mohamed explains how to use his lamp effectively and safely. 

While the President of the Republic must speak this evening to announce new health restrictions, and a new period of isolation is looming, the risk of seeing his morale sinking is great.

Especially since the feeling of fatigue is common in autumn.

"If you have trouble concentrating, notice a drop in energy or fatigue, along with cravings for sugar, you are probably suffering from seasonal depression," says Dr Jimmy Mohamed.

This begins between September and December and continues until March.

In question: the decrease in natural light in particular.

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This causes an increase in melatonin, which is the sleep hormone, in the body.

This explains a feeling of fatigue, but also the drop in the production of serotonin, the pleasure hormone.

"More sleep and less pleasure, equals little depression," concludes Jimmy Mohamed. 

A high intensity lamp

One solution may be to expose yourself to more light, or more precisely to "a high intensity lamp".

"Experts recommend around 10,000 lux", one lux being the unit of measurement for illuminance.

By way of comparison, an artificially lit room submits to a light intensity of 200 to 300 lux.

Sitting down for about 30 minutes under a high-intensity light will usually take two weeks to see an effect on mood and seasonal depression.

"But it would also be effective on 'real' depression, adds Jimmy Mohamed. Studies have shown that treatment with light therapy can be just as effective as treatment with drug antidepressants. Combined, these treatments would work even better. 

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How, then, to choose a high intensity lamp?

Prefer a lamp classified as a "medical device" and which has a "CE" label.

No side effects are to be feared, except for people suffering from eye pathologies.

Finally, you have to keep 80 centimeters from the lamp for optimal use.