Light Therapy Review For SAD Depression (Verilux Happy Lights & Sun Touch Plus Light Box Therapy)

[@dmn4747]

A couple things that have helped me....magnesium supplements, hot baths often at night, melatonin when needed, going outside even if it's disgusting out there lol, and in fall and winter! Reframing how I think about depression. Am I depressed or am I responding appropriately to the season as an animal....everything in nature slows down and turns inwards in the winter so why wouldn't we? I try telling myself it's just my hibernation season and it's actually necessary for the other times of year. The mindset shift has been life changing for me. I feel that at least for me, 75% of my suffering due to things is the feeling something is wrong with me. If I can tell myself I'm normal it helps maybe more than anything else I've ever done.

[@bubblegum5608]

what type of magnesium are you taking? or u just taking plain magnesium?

[@CaperLee]

This is a great comment. I just started thinking of my seasonal depression the same way. Depressed = deep rest. Thanks for making my day and reminding me that there is nothing wrong with me 🙏🏽

[@Tinyteacher1111]

Thank you! I wasn’t sure what to buy that is recent. I have a small one, but I think my son needs one too. Vitamin D (I take 2,000 mg, but my son, who is really depressed was recommended 5,000-10,000 my with K2 is imperative in northern climates. As for Magnesium, a triple type is good, or a half cap of ionic magnesium chloride in water to sip on.

[@PinkFlowers365]

thanks for your tip on magnesium

[@johnmccully3885]

Best comment on KZbin.

[@keelinday6073]

Things that help my depression: morning affirmations, working out, eating mindfully, setting goals for myself, writing to do lists, cleaning my home (forcing myself to bc depression makes it hard)

[@goodingwashington6099]

Workout... Yes! Helped me too tremendously

[@keelinday6073]

@@cpnstbn1266 I’m pretty average looking really, but either way beauty does not make someone happy

[@RoundenBrown]

Working out helps, but if I do it too much it has the opposite effect.

[@keelinday6073]

@@RoundenBrown I’m curious as to how so?

[@vapeking466]

@@keelinday6073 Walking helps me alot. It gets the feel good endorphins going in your brains reward center. Also I find a quality fish oil tryglyceride form helpful such as sports research brand or innovix labs triple strength omega 3. Besides fish oil has many other benefits too. Only problem I have is I sometimes do get lonely after losing mom, dad, and grandma all within three yrs. Now that I'm older 47 I find I never really meet new people anymore but I just keep a positive attitude in the hopes that I will one day!

[@janetleeharrison]

Getting out of the house is HUGE! Especially if you haven't been keeping the house clean lately while feeling the "tired" that comes with depression's chemical changes in the body. I don't know about you, but I start to get overwhelmed that I have a messy kitchen, bedroom, bathroom, all the dishes & all the laundry to do. If I don't feel like talking, I just drive around for 30 minutes. When I do want to talk, I go to the Mall & sit on the benches in front of a busy store & somebody will always sit beside you willing to talk. If nothing else, people watching is great!

[@hoopsmiles]

That's awesome. I sit on a bench to and talk to people at the lake near where I live. Since last winter, I estimate I have met over a thousand people sitting on a bench at the lake talking to people. I can also relate to you about things not being cleaned. If I don't clean up stuff, then that can add to the weight of my depression.

[@hbkladyjan]

What has *always* helped my SAD is Nature, fresh air, and the Earth beneath my feet (hard to get when it's cold!). I try to get outside, regardless of the weather, for at least 10 minutes at a time, multiple times a day. Also, being creative!! Art, painting simple wooden cutouts from Family Dollar or Dollar Tree, coloring books, not electronic apps on a device!! Also, Gratitude Lists!! Nice long ones! I just got my first light therapy lamp at the age of 63. I am hoping it will help with what my other activities lack in. And be kind, to yourself and others, because we're all fighting personal battles that no one else knows anything about. Be kind.

[@Tinyteacher1111]

Good ideas! I’m recovering from a zillion health issues brought on by breast implants 20 years ago that destroyed by internal organs and caused autoimmune, infections, plus mold in a new condo, so I low live in pain, found out I have tick-borne infections and a broken shoulder. I’m a mess right now and I’m trying to care for my grown don who was messed up by his father’s moldy house, and they’ve both been living here for over two years! This situation has ruined my life, and I’m so depressed, I woke up I’m a panic attack! This is my attempt at finding a solution to take care of myself!

[@DISCODAN1]

As corny as it sounds... there is nothing like a walk in the park with nature. I walk for 2-3 miles 3-4 times a week and it has transformed me into a much happier person today that I was a few years ago with I first started! So fresh air, exercise, sun and I walk with my best girlfriend!

[@hoopsmiles]

That's awesome!!! I don't think that's corny, I think that sounds beautiful and refreshing

[@felicialally5703]

Not corny at all. I believe humans function best when we incorporate Nature and Movement in our daily lives.

[@maryhamilton6843]

Not corny at all the experts say best all round exercise is walking. My favorite place to walk is the beach and winter 🥶 is my favorite time to walk the beach 🌈🌞

[@hadassahsoddsandends]

What really helped my depression the most was finding out I had gluten sensitivity and ADD. Getting off gluten and learning about the affects of ADD made me a new person. Changing my diet and adding more fruits and vegetables helped me lose some weight and get out more. The exercise helped me lose more weight, which also helped me feel much better. I thank the LORD that He put the right people in my life to find these things out.

[@tunzjnky]

I totally agree that getting out around people helps depression. I have tried getting part time jobs to get me out. They helped a little. I think going back to my church after years of sitting at home, has helped me as well. It gets me out of the house and I see people I know who care about me. I really need to figure out other social things to do as well. Baby steps though. One day I hope to get back to my happy carefree self. Good luck on your personal journey to recovery 😁

[@hoopsmiles]

Hey thank you. thanks for sharing about your experience too. I agree, I think it's good to get out of the house.

[@basecamp84]

Camping is a great way to get out and also meet some interesting people

[@alyariel9713]

Lord, Corona put a stop to ALLLLLLLLLLLLL of that. Outside world?? Being around other humans? What sorcery is this?😅

[@kingdjdamian]

Got it, talking a lot with friends and family, walking for 15 min in the morning, going to the gym daily.

[@hoopsmiles]

That's great to hear you are doing those things.

[@Altegore]

Years ago I started lifting heavy, then last year I started correcting my diet. Then I started taking supplements like Omega 3, Shilajit, Ashwaganda, Mucuna Pruriens, etc, along with adopting a no-PMO lifestyle. All that while pondering endlessly spiritual and philosophical questions. This summer I kind of reached these breakthroughs pondering spiritual and psychological questions and the world became more clear - I just have very little reason to be truly sad anymore, no matter what... I kind of live in the moment, but not recklessly and irresponsibly. I just do not stress over life at all and enjoy the litte things easily. Could be all the dopamine fasting I did as a result of all of my practices.

[@50ulEat3r]

Im going through similar, though ive never heard of the supplements you listed/ what PMO is. Im going to research this. They gym significantly helps me but its gotten to the point where im not giving my body enough time to recover because i use the physical stimulation of lifting to failure to distract myself from my emotions. I also try being more productive with cleaning cooking creating art etc but my internet addiction really inhibits me. The constant trigger of serotonin we get from the internet really wears my receptors down and its harder to feel happy or have a relaxed/normal attention span. Electronics makes everything gogogogogo and when faced eith downtime have no idea what to do with self and want to do dangerous spontaneous stuff or die. Ive heard microdosing on shrooms helps depression significantly. I wish i lived near nature because itd be so so healing to hear the wind blow through the trees and birds instead of traffic sirens and fighting neighbours

[@mnkt6424]

So glad you were feeling somewhat better as of the making of this video. I hope that's still the case! I've struggled with seasonal depression since childhood - my mother even tells me that my mood has always been much affected by our short, cold Minnesota days. My psychiatrist says I shouldn't be living here at all because medication can only do so much. He says I should just move... if only it were that easy! Things I do to fight the manic and depressive include vacationing in winter when possible, light box therapy (with occasional bulb changes to maintain high lux), medication and supplements. Yoga and meditation can be helpful as well. Finally, humidity has been shown to help boost your mood as well as putting some scent into the air. In winter, the air is dry and stale but you can add humidity and stimulating odor by simmering something in a pot on the stove or using an essential oil diffuser. It's an uphill battle and the struggle is definitely real, but hang in there. There's always a light at the end of the tunnel!

[@hoopsmiles]

Thank you so much for your in depth share here and being vulnerable in your sharing. It's great to hear your story. I hadn't heard about the aroma part before effecting mood, as well as humidity. That's really interesting. That's wild that your doctor told you to move. In regards to me. I have definitely had many ups and downs since the making of this video. I have considered making an update about where I'm at now. I'm definitely feeling better. I've been using stranger therapy, a word I just made up, to help boost my mood the past couple years. Basically, I've been going out and meeting strangers sometimes on a daily basis and I have found that to be a great way to boost my mood and combat my loneliness in the past.

[@mnkt6424]

@@hoopsmiles That's a great idea! I saw an article recently on "touch starvation." I had never seen it called that, but I believe it's definitely a real thing. I was lonely a lot in my 20's and I remember that just getting a hug from someone could make me feel so much better. Good to reach out for those things we need. Blessings!

[@maryhamilton6843]

@@hoopsmiles I relate to your need to be with people I’m a people person the sad part is this pandemic has isolate people me being one of them I’ve been getting out there more I volunteered for a luncheon for the homeless women I’m my community it was accelerating 🌈🌞I think you should make your up date video 👍🏻🌞

[@L4L126]

I have a great deal of trauma that has happened in my younger life. I have always had what I feel is seasonal depression because it happened annually. I am working with my therapist which is slowly helping with the underline issue but I honestly love the sun and summer and my eyes can tell that the sun is moving farther and I feel it energy and happiness going down and then gets worse. But thank you for your review and thanks everyone for your positive comments for those of us going through some dark times.

[@hoopsmiles]

Hey thanks so much for sharing. It's great to hear your experience. That's awesome you are working with a therapist. Reminds me that I need to get a therapist

[@garethsmyth6593]

I am from Northern Ireland and I am registered blind. I do have light perception but suffer from SAD sometimes in the winter. I have a daylight lamp from Beurer which I purchased last year on Amazon and I found that it has been such a great help for me. Unfortunately the stand broke on it so I may have to try and get it Wall mounted but I have also ordered a cheaper lamp on Amazon which I am going to try as well and maybe keep one in the bedroom and one in the living room. Light therapy has helped improve my mood during the winter.

[@hoopsmiles]

That's so great to hear it has helped. I'm a big fan of the lights you can hang on a wall. I find them to be convenient and take up less space

[@mandymoore5774]

The whole “a body in motion stays in motion” is very true.

[@hoopsmiles]

thanks for sharing that.

[@SelkirkVinny]

Oddly enough I removed all the curtains facing the south in my house. I actually did it to encourage my son's to get the hell out vs video gaming all the time (they hate the bright light on their screens). Not only is it of course much sunnier all the time in the house but I get to see the trees and birds etc and less of the cave that can sometimes drag your mood down.

[@maggiem6209]

Here's how I deal with things: It kind of depends on how bad my depression is that day, some days, it's a huge effort to just get into the shower and eat and some days, I feel mostly okay, if really slow and unfocused. On my horrible days, going and cuddling up to one of my friends while she works on her computer and sitting quietly helps me get through the worst of it, at least enough so that I can eat, which also helps. Usually I just think about how warm she is and that I'm warm too, it sounds like a weird thought, but it's comforting when that's where my brain is at. On my more usual days, I go for a drive, I visit my parent's dogs and take them for a walk, or manage my dayplanner. For me, feeling out of control or unsure of my amount of freetime/money/art portfolio/physical health really makes my depression completely unbearable, so sitting down and managing my planner, drawing my month headers, coloring and highlighting important dates and deadlines, those things really go far to make me see what I did manage to do and what's coming next. Sometimes it helps just to make a list of the things you _did_ accomplish during the day and also make a list of extremely small tasks you think you can accomplish, like, _"open my blinds", "pet the dog", "eat one grape"._ If you are depressed, please don't think it's the end of your life or your world. Things can and do get better, *especially when you get some professional help* and get support from loved ones. I've had my diagnosis for about two years and things got SO MUCH BETTER after I was told what was wrong and started paying attention to the things that set off my depression. Even if you and your doctor decide anti-depressants aren't for you, (they work great for me and I used to hate the idea of taking anti-depressants, so maybe try them before you decide 'no' if you can afford to,) you can still journal and practice mindfulness.

[@rosenose819]

This comment warmed my heart, you write so genuine. 2 years later lol

[@felicialally5703]

Not diagnosed with depression, but I always struggle with energy and autumn winter in the UK is seriously depressing for me. I have found that Fresh air, nature, even in the rain are VITAL. I live in Wales so waterproofs are my friend. Vitamin D for SURE, I'm taking 4000 units a day. I like to spend time in the outdoors, but it gets so dark here by like 3 in the afternoon. So, thinking of getting a lamp. On days when it's not raining catching the sunset is really uplifting. Watching bodies of water, rivers, the ocean if possible, is very therapeutic as well. And when I dare, an icy dip is seriously exhilarating!

[@hoopsmiles]

Thank you for sharing! That sounds really nice. Wow that's really early for it to get dark. I love watching the water, especially the high tides in winter. The ocean waves are amazing

[@IncessantWake]

I go outside and walk around my neighborhood for about 15 minutes to get that nice beautiful sun. it really helps! but I want something like this as well because it's not always easy dealing with depression. Thank you bro for making this video.

[@countrybabe561]

Me!! Nature and my dog and many cats help! Volunteering and fostering kittens has helped me. I make sure to take photos and document how everyone is doing so in the future, I can look back and remember all of the good I have done for the animals, and also how much I have helped my local rural animal shelter. ❤️ I also enjoy doing things for others. I sent a box of crumbl cookies to my local nonprofit vet clinic that helps our local shelter. They were so sweet and so grateful. I guess I’ve learned to focus on helping others. It’s the polar opposite of what I want to do when depressed, but It really helps me!

[@paula3582]

1. Depression isn't hard to beat, the problem is that you need to force yourself into a healthy lifestyle. You force yourself to go to work or school don't you? You first need to eat only healthy foods. Serotonin which is what antidepressants increase is stored in your stomach. So if you are eating unhealthy food, you will automatically be despressed. The studies is mindblowing if you do the research hence why I take probiotics and only eat real foods. You will also find you won't get sick anymore. This is what happened to me and I had 10x as much energy. The energy you get from junk food isn't real energy, it's a drug hence why you crash hours afterwards and desire more junk food. It's design this way so food corporations get you hook where they don't care about your health which makes your depressed, only making profit. Remember, if you have been eating junk food for a long time, healthy food won't taste good cause your have overstimulated your taste buds. Give it a weak or so to reset your taste buds to normal again. Doing Intermittant Fasting is also great for better moods. 2. Stay active for most of the day. Human beings aren't designed to be sitting. When we are passive, we will feel depressed. When we are active, our brain will produced happy chemicals. So, welcome housework and cleaning your yard. When my depressant was so bad, I became a labour where I was moving all day long and I felt on top of the world. I wouldn't sit down for more than 10 minutes cause I would feel so depressed. I read a book on my treadmill and watch TV on an exercise bike in the past to avoid being passive and depressed. 3. Sleep. Go to bed before 11pm or your body will release stress hormones throughout the next day and wake up early before 7am. The most important thing is getting up before 7am and getting lots of sunlight. Make sure you hit the gym or go for a run in the morning. It will put you in a good mood for most of the day. 4. Avoid caffeine cause it will bring you down just like sugar hours after having it. Avoid anything bad such as being on the internet too much. Drugs, drinking booze, smoking. Whatever you put into your body, is what you get out of it. Bad habits take 3 weeks to break so force yourself to do what is right and reprogram your brain. Most of the time, we do what is out of habit. 5. Motivation is temporary. You need to do "healthy" things everyday to feel good. So you have to force yourself just like going to work most days. If you don't have enough time, wake up an hour earlier. Yout get things done in the morning, not in the evening. Set goals as well where finding a meaning to life kills depression. 6. You need to fix your mind. Get into spirituality or a religion. It will teach you how to deal with emotions. It's why religious people work on it everyday cause it's just like a muscle. If you don't work on you muscle after a week, it will become weak just like your mind. Too much entertainment will weaken our soul. I highly suggest to do 20-30 minutes of meditation everyday as well. This will stop your thoughts from going crazy. You need to reprogram your mind to be positive where listening to positive videos on youtube will help lift your spirits. 7. Remember, peace requires no emotions. Try to avoid too much stimulation. I highly recommend a dopamine detox. 8. When you put good things in your body, your thoughts will be positive. If you put crap into your body, your thoughts will be negative. 9. Avoid the news at all cost!!! Avoid politics and focus on yourself go within. Talk to yourself and be your own best friends. Talk to your emotions (sub conscious) and teach it how to grow to into an adult. Life is a journey, never play the victim!!! 10. Human beings are design to be in nature. If I go for a walk in nature for 30 minutes and I'm depressed as, I will ALWAYS feel good afterward. Human beings were in nature all the time in the past and outside moving hence why depression was extremely rare. Go to the beach and jump into water, it's spiritual and will make you feel good. It's another reason why I went surfing every week in the past. Everyone would be amazed how great I would feel the next couple days. It really recharge my soul. 11. Self-help books help but you have to work on it everyday. Just like a course, you need to focus on this first over a career. Master your mind, you will master the world. 12. If you don't do anything and stay in bed, you will feel 100x more depressed. Only through action which you have to force yourself you will feel better. If you think you can't get out of bed, if someone broke into your house and put a gun to your head and told you to get out of bed like in concentration camps in WW2, would you stay in bed? Only you can save yourself, no one else!

[@aleka..]

I've just heard about those and wanted to know more, found you via yt search, this was informative. I'm also so happy you recommended buying used, less resources taken from environment, less pollution...

[@hoopsmiles]

Thanks so much! The only thing I would mention about buying used lights here, is that it might be a good idea to ask the seller how often the light was used and how long. I have read online that the lux rating can deteriorate in these kinds of lights over time. If a light is super old, even if the bulb works, it might need to be replaced to get its full lux rating for health benefits.

[@swisstrader]

Started this 4 days ago. Thus far decent results. More energy, less naps, better mood. All this for $35!!

[@hoopsmiles]

That's great news!

[@diamondsngunns88]

Hi Paulie, what brand did you go with? Thank you!

[@kmmc1112]

Definately need to socialize esp when u don’t feel like it and I “MAKE” myself get even 30 min of exercise daily, I pray and listen to uplifting Contemporary Christian music

[@big_bee07]

Vitamin D3 with Vitamin K2, L-Theanin helps me

[@hoopsmiles]

Nice! I haven't really delved into taking L-theanin and vitamin K2. I might look into that.

[@big_bee07]

@@hoopsmiles Taking D3 without K2 is dangerous

[@hoopsmiles]

Good to know. I'll have to look into that

[@jaredthereal]

@@big_bee07 why

[@orion7741]

Howdy, I know this video is a couple years old, BUT I thought I would still give an answer about what I have done to help with seasonal depression. I have one of the Happy lights, but I also take Saint Johns Wort supplement. They have both made a HUGE difference!!

[@smitinathan]

I have depression and I'm about to order one of these, but I was wondering how they worked for video/photography lighting and you answered that. Thanks for that!

[@skittles4538]

Subscribed to you long ago for hooping and forgot, years later am searching SAD lights to possibly give to a friend and come across your channel again, Nice to see you again hoopsmiles!!!

[@hoopsmiles]

Hey thanks. That's wild. Along with my hoop videos I have some videos on using happy lights.

[@hoopsmiles]

To buy a light therapy lamp that I recommend, check out the links in the description of this video.

[@5678sssssss]

Making a schedule even though I may not always follow. But some guidelines help 😀 workout I feel is just as vital as meds and therapy. Also prayer and church and being with my brothers and sisters in Christ.

[@CedroneTravels]

Like folks are saying--being around people who care about you is huge. Exercise--daily vitamins--water

[@russellstone9056]

Will the lights fade your interior? Artwork, furniture, etc. It is like sunlight so one would think so.

[@heatherm4234]

The suggestion about video and photography was particularly interesting! Thanks for this video!

[@hoopsmiles]

Awesome, thank you!

[@laurenadkins4536]

I’m still trying to figure out how to combat my depression. Unfortunately I’ve had to get on antidepressants because I have OCD as well. It’s been a huge problem since being unemployed but I plan to try to volunteer and maybe get a gym membership or a yoga membership. I have a SAD lamp but I always forget to use it lol. I wake up at different times everyday.

[@hoopsmiles]

Hey thanks for sharing vulnerably here and being honest. I've taken medication for OCD too, though I'm currently not taking OCD medication. I'm only taking an anti-depressant, not the kind that treats OCD. I can relate to you about not using the sad lamp at times in the past. I eventually got a sad lamp that can be mounted to a wall. It's currently mounted right next to my counter area and place where I would eat breakfast in the morning. All I have to do is press a button in most cases to turn it on. For me I tend not to do something if it's too inconvenient to get it out and setup it up. So now that my light is ready to go at the click of a button I use it every day.

[@laurenadkins4536]

hoopsmiles thank you for making these videos :) I started watching for the hooping videos but thought it was so relatable when you posted videos about OCD and depression. It’s nice to relate to someone about something you never thought they went through. The mountable lamp is a great idea! I tend to just forget things a lot lol.

[@hoopsmiles]

@@laurenadkins4536 Hey thanks. It is nice to relate to others about things, escpecially things that feel like I don't hear a lot of people talking about.

[@Em22-wtf]

Lol, I actually came here bc I was rcmnded these lights YEARS ago, but kinda Ehhh'd them, lol...but now that we've been stuck with this whole Cv thing after a year, my depression has been slowly creepin up on me bc my thing was getting the fk OUT of the HOUSE, going to work daily having a set daily schedule, and NOW, Im laid off, I live in Maskachusetts where everyone is so ridiculously scared of everyone else that that in itself is utterly depressing that it's getting harder and harder to fight it off or keep up....So, when my weekly volunteer job said they'd be opening soon, but if I could help with cleaning up the shop and organizing, I immediately agreed and went in for a few hrs today seeing as Im also laid off. Anyway, my volunteer job is a local small thrift shop and as I was organizing Electronics I saw there was a light box! Lol! Its an older version, but who cares for $5 it works perfectly so I grabbed it and am now looking to see the best way to use it, lol!

[@PinkFlowers365]

good tip on the photos/videos! Thanks

[@maryhamilton6843]

I have seasonal affective disorder “SAD” winter is the worst or the las couple of fall/winters I’ve ,been using light on and off more off😆. Decided to commit to more on🙂this morning I’m sitting in front of my verilux light for the first time this season and decided to go on you tube for some info and you are my first research video so thanks. I’m looking forward to December 21 as we gain more light everyday, every little bit counts. Be happy be healthy 🌈🌞

[@elected0nes741]

Severe depression and the paralytic effect that it can have on your life is an extremely difficult thing to deal with, and finding ways to at least alleviate it can be almost impossible at times! It's been my unfortunate experience that only those who have suffered from this horrible affliction truly understand what it does to your life, and how debilitating it can be! And a search for a way to get rid of it is always constant because few things seem to actually help.😣 My doctor suggested I try one of these *_"happy lights"_* and I just figured they were special lights that did something like changed colors or made pretty designs or something like that(eye candy), but they don't look special at all, just some glorified bright lamp, really. lol, the last thing I want stuffed in my face first thing in the morning is a bright light! I prefer a more soothing light like a Himalayan salt lamp. I've been using mine for several years now, and I love the organic orange glow that it puts off. I also find it to be very soothing, and it makes a wonderful night light as well.

[@SamJohnsonAZ]

I recommended working out to help depression. When you have good music in the gym it really helps my mental focus and over all happiness. It’s all about feeling comfortable in your own skin

[@Anthumsnailbunny]

I take Zoloft and it doesn't make me totally better but it increases my baseline for sure. Im trying to learn to relax. My depression is related to ptsd and I've been doing EMDR therapy and its hard and stressful but I have already noticed less intrusive symptoms.

[@hoopsmiles]

That's awesome to here. I have taken Zoloft in the past before, treating depression and OCD. I just googled EMDR therapy. I might have to look more into that. Thanks for sharing

[@dudebro8631]

diet. im not sure what helps exactly, but do lots of research. certain foods make me depressed and certain foods make me happier. fruit is one of my go tos for mood boosting

[@hoopsmiles]

I can totally relate to you. What I eat makes a huge difference. If I eat junk food, I can feel pretty miserable.

[@drumdad1242]

Glad you're doing better

[@OKCLady]

Meditation. Cbd. Thc cured my depression. I get down in the winter...so I bought a lamp. Just started.

[@hoopsmiles]

Awesome to hear! Thanks for sharing. It's amazing to hear what helps people. It really is different for everyone I have learned from the comment section of this video.

[@KingSausage74]

I'm on antidepressants but I also play basketball to deal with my depression. I hate the winter months.

[@Србомбоница86]

Walking outside helps but my allergies kind of bother me now ,I take antihistamine that makes me a bit groggy so I still like going outside

[@liamboon4038]

Wim Hof breathing with saunas and cold showers. Keeping busy plus exercise is also good..

[@hoopsmiles]

That's awesome. I'm glad to hear the cold showers work for you. When I was trying that out for a period of time, I noticed it impacted my energy and seemed to lower my body temp before sleep, which seemed to improve my sleep.

[@Stufftough]

I have ADHD which has very low serotonin levels. Just got a light therapy lamp. Hope it helps

[@hoopsmiles]

Nice about the lamp. I hope it helps!

[@domtekos7761]

Hey, I have ADHD-PI myself and just got a Lumie and o my 💓!!!! Game changer. This was worth every penny because it's made such a big difference to my sleep issues (always worse in winter) my mood, my want to just easy crap and my energy levels. I hope they help you loads too. How is it going?

[@hoopsmiles]

@@domtekos7761 That's awesome to here. I haven't tried the Lumie brand before. I just googled it. That's great hear your results. I found that light therapy has helped my sleep too.

[@swisstrader]

I have a therapy light. Thought it could double as a ring light for zoom calls but not all that affective at that.

[@hoopsmiles]

I have never tried the ring lights, but they do seem to offer great lighting. When I have used happy lights for video production, I have used them a lot as secondary lights or background lights versus the main lights I use. I love that so many happy lights give off such a great day time light look, which can be great for video production. The main problem I have found with happy lights versus my video lights is not having a way to connect them to a tripod for adjustability.

[@ReganMarcelis]

Is the Verilux good? What is the best one, I was just given the same Verilux you have there, whats the BEST? Are we supposed to blast it in our face? how does it work exact;y, kelvin? any explanations?....

[@hoopsmiles]

Good questions. The best lamp I've tried has changed since the filming of this video. It's now the Carex daylight classic plus lamp. I put a link in the description of this video to that lamp. The reason why I like that lamp is because the surface area is so big like the Verilux Happylight Deluxe. However, it looks like they discontinued that light, which was my previous fav lamp. I personally like the bigger lamps that produce more light, partly because you don't have to have your face as close to them. When getting a light, the recommendation is getting something that produces 10,000 LUX. With each light I would read the directions of how close you need to have your face to the light. Every light may be different in how far you need to be from the light for it to be effective. A light that is smaller and less intense, I imagine would require you to have your eyes closer to the light to achieve 10,000 LUX. The further you are from the light, I believe the LUX will go down, which will fall out of the realm of bright light therapy. I'll put out there, I'm no professional at this so you may want to seek a professional opinion, such as a doctor. And like I said, each light is different how you use it so I would recommend reading the instructions or contacting the manufacture and ask them how far you need to have your face next to the light to achieve 10,000 LUX. I hope it works out.

[@cindysebryk5093]

I struggled from 12 years old to 32 years old. Debilitating. I spent a year paying a homeopath, didn't work till I told him I was done. He asked me to just try a parasite cleanse called, parasave...which you can no longer get. I have been depression free now for 17 years. During that time I have been through hell but my mind has been healthy so I could think through all my struggles.

[@hoopsmiles]

Wow! Thanks for sharing your story here.

[@thebluedot4728]

how is this any different than just having led lights in ur house like whats this thing do

[@denebvegaaltair1146]

I moved to a different country. Everyone there said I was the most cheerful person they’ve met.

[@hoopsmiles]

Hahaha! That's awesome. That's the first time someone has said that answer in the comments.

[@jackiebarris8855]

I do outdoor things: riding horses, walk/hike slowly and sing! Moved to healing love San Miguel de allende Mexico..Heart labyrinth natural city....gorgeous Mexico. Thank you!

[@Kitykitycoco]

As a night security guard these could prove very useful. Just ordered one!

[@hoopsmiles]

Yeah, I could totally see that for that kind of job.

[@rinkeshverma2880]

Suffering from it for last 12 years. I am on medication since then

[@ExpressivelyYannaMarie]

I have depression, I create art to help & just picked up some vitamin D vitamins

[@hoopsmiles]

That's awesome you create art. I like to create as well

[@ExpressivelyYannaMarie]

@@hoopsmiles what’s your go to medium?

[@basecamp84]

I have had one for years ... I use it now as a starter light for my medical marijuana home garden ... after being discharged from the navy I use cannabis for my depression... it's not for everyone this I know but it has its place ...

[@hoopsmiles]

Thanks for sharing about that. I've used these lights for other purposes too. They are amazing for photos, seriously!

[@willowivorie]

The bible helps me with my depression!

[@hoopsmiles]

That's awesome! Thanks for sharing that. I too have gotten a lot out of reading parts of the bible.

[@willowivorie]

@@hoopsmiles Yeah so many great promises to find hope.

[@awreckingball]

Video starts at 2:21

[@DavidYouhas]

Hello! Looking for a new light. My sun touch with tube bulbs quit working but love how it made me consistently feel happy. I was considering getting another Sun touch but curious if UV is part of the equation from the bulbs because I see a lot of LED lights and I think the tubes might’ve gone out or the ballast. In the sun touch. Led seems more reliable long term. I would love to see a video or do you have any information on the difference between LED and bolts? Thank you

[@hoopsmiles]

I don't have much info or personal experience with that. But, there was another person who commented on either this video or one of my other happy light videos who seemed to really get benefits from using UV lights. For that person it sounded like UV was definitely part of the equation and made a huge difference versus just using happy lights. I know a lot of lights tout about being UV free and how that is healthier for you, but personally I question that, since our own sun pumps out UV light.

[@zebonautsmith1541]

My theory is that it doesn't have a god damn thing to do with serotonin; but rather the brain craves sunlight as in "it's time to get out of the cave". Rather than staring into the light; try lighting your desk with it; and merely look at the desk as it reflects the "sunlight". The problem is the normal human response to rotten weather. For me; the minute the sun comes out from behind the clouds, I instantly feel wonderful again and the oppressive weight of a cloudy day lifts. The brain simply wants to see the world properly lit.

[@joanmeeks1730]

Very informative. Thank you.

[@hoopsmiles]

You are welcome!

[@Sereen06]

Do you know if this helps with Vit D?

[@hoopsmiles]

No it doesn't. You'll have to get a different kind of light for that.

[@MatiasMunoz-ex4do]

Do these lights have scientific support? Do they have the right radiation of UV?

[@justinheretotroll3032]

0:40 I started crying right here.

[@hoopsmiles]

Thanks for sharing that. When seeing your timestamp I had an emotional response in side. I feel for you

[@justinheretotroll3032]

@@hoopsmiles I had a light show up Monday. Every day this week I use it while lifting weights before work. Very good routine change. I had a great week.

[@daisytheophilus3243]

Therapy, anti depressants, running & swimming outside, & generally just actively trying to assess how I’m feeling each day and alter my self expectations accordingly - if I start the day feeling rubbish, usually my only goal is to go to bed content :)

[@charleyr3398]

Meditate. It calms the storm in the mind.

[@mandymoore5774]

Veriflux is a really good brand I’ve noticed.

[@hoopsmiles]

👍

[@kckoellein]

Things that help my depression? A $#!+ load of LIGHTS! This whole concept isn't new to me. Been using it for YEARS. I have the highest color lights 4100 "Cool White" initially, but I have now upgraded to all 6000+ "Daylight" lights. AND I HAVE A LOT OF THEM. It is very bright in my living room/work from home/gaming lounge/home learning and studying space. My shop has a 100 watt equivalent LED bulb every 8 feet in all directions. Lights. Lights. Lights. Also, I took up Kung-fu classes... though it is really just watered-down, Americanized, glorified dance-class... it gets me energized a couple times per week! Going to the gym was too boring and had no "flavor" to it. Kung-fu at least has some ancient Chinese seasonings sprinkled throughout.

[@catbojangles]

I would have most of my day-to-day problems solved if I had a "financial transformation" (feel free to tell me how you made that happen) but I guess in the meantime I'll keep taking Vitamin D and praying that nothing else goes wrong while I wait for a therapist to be available in my hospital network.

[@CosmicSeeker69]

10.000 lux IS ABSOLUTLY MEANINGLESS - Unless the manufacturer tells you over what area and distance you get those 10.000 lux. It could (and probably will be) that amount at 6" - but the further away you sit then the luminesces drops significantly (this could have been pointed out in this vid) . Timing is also very important - you are best of calculating the time of morning where it's most effective (in the way that morning sun triggers photosynthesis)

[@hoopsmiles]

My recommendation to people is to just use a lux meter app on their phone to see how far they need to be next to their light to get 10k lux. The app I used worked really.

[@Neverfullythere]

Magnesium working out meditation crafting/hobbies.

[@slugo915]

I'm getting myself one of these for winter. Thanks for the information. Right now I been using a supplement called kratom. Kratom has changed my life. Makes you happy and helps with pain and gives energy. But even with that method I want to try other natural remedies like this. I used to smoke pot but gave that up awhile ago. Thank goodness winter's soon over! Just thought I'd share as you asked.

[@daltonc690]

When I'm feeling down ill take a hot shower or go for a car ride. I also do red light therapy at planet fitness. Does anyone have any suggestions on part time jobs or things to do if you have too much free time because I have 4 days off usually..fun jobs pay doesnt matter

[@hoopsmiles]

Thats awesome! The best part time job i did was work in a small music store. So much fun

[@Sonder0077]

The biggest thing I did for my depression was getting rid of all dairy.

[@BlueStarLightCB]

I watch anime and hang out with my pet cats to help a bit

[@hoopsmiles]

That's awesome!

[@sali9821]

Did you have sleeping problems?

[@kerstink4353]

Get well soon! :)

[@hoopsmiles]

Thank you. I have been feeling better recently

[@TehObLiVioUs]

I was curious about these for video/cinematography, great to they ARE good for it >:] I instantly got turned on by "10,000 LUX"?! THAT'S BRIGHT, that'd be great for videos!

[@hoopsmiles]

Yeah it is amazing for video. I would definitely recommend it. Though they are not made for a tripod, often these lights can easily be moved and are free standing, which can be useful for video as well. The surface of these lights can create a nice softbox effect as well.

[@ChrisosIDK]

Resting in full sunlight and doing a breathing meditation helps my depression better than anything else. My fav breathing meditation is this: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bGi2loVpgd2nmqs

[@Special-Delivery57]

The Highlander cat exist!!!⚡️🗡 🐈‍⬛⚡️

[@hoopsmiles]

Hahahaha

[@SamJohnsonAZ]

When thing I like to do is take a hot bath with some bath salts or bath bomb. In the dark with some lo fi music playin

[@Meg_Coons]

Therapy, medicine, exercise, socializing my psychiatrist loves when people will eat walnut butter….

[@marekhorak9457]

Hello friends,

[@hoopsmiles]

Welcome

[@energyattraction]

I because a Christian in 2016 Born Again 🌱 Jesus gave me a new heart and changed my Life 🌱 He also gave me the free gift of salvation 💕 so my answers to depressed is seek Jesus Christ ask him into your Life and trust in him with everything in your life that he will look after everything. The past is history, the future is a mystery and very moment is a gift that is why it is called the the present🌱 Let Go, Let God 🌱🕊️👑🙏💕

[@hoopsmiles]

Thank you for sharing about your transformation!

[@MilkweedMainiac]

I do hot yoga and breathing exercises for depression

[@Michael-it6cu]

watch what you eat. you must have had some kind of allergy to something you eat. mine is carbs and gluten and milk products. when I eat I get depressed strongly.

[@albashjaweesh]

Sleeping late is a cause of 70% of peoples’ depression

[@saraericson162]

Meds lol! That’s the only thing that does it!

[@hoopsmiles]

I'm glad to hear that works for you. That's awesome!

[@jcbanbury]

Which ones?

[@eLiV8t]

But vitamin D?

[@cynthiauttimendoza6948]

Prayer and happy light

[@hoopsmiles]

Great combo!

[@jessefry8023]

Semen retention

[@brendalg4]

You don't talk about what benefits it gave you. Maybe your depression was helped simply because you got around people and had more money and stuff like that and had nothing to do with the light

[@hoopsmiles]

Light therapy has helped me get up quicker in the morning and helps me not have insomnia and improving my sleep cycles. There you go, those are the benefits I've personally gotten

[@brendalg4]

@@hoopsmiles how long did it take to help your sleep cycle etc? I just started using one yesterday.

[@christophergrant5705]

Lots of sleep

[@hoopsmiles]

I feel you there.

[@michauxbôts]

lighght

[@Adrian-rc2yj]

Get a dog and workout in the morning!

[@tappersuzie]

Nothing has helped me like the carnivore diet …. It’s having a better brain beyond my expectations… no turning back …. Remove the carbs, sugar and chemicals…. Increase the fat w beef and experience the miracle

[@MattMBZ]

Drugs work

[@paradox7743]

The biggest thing to help with Depression is Meditation and Serious Working out. Pills hardly work for me. Meditation and understanding how the Breath Flows make a Such a big Difference that it goes beyond just "feeling better'. It is a Spiritual Practice that effects your whole life and it's benefits are life changing and Transformitive. You will be Peacefull and full of Patience and Energy. Working out also on a Daily basis helps you get the natural high n U feel great when your in shape. Supplements Like Magnessium Oxide n B2 really help your immune and nervous system to work on a optimal level. Happiness is a choice no matter what cards your dealt...