My experience with light therapy: from a dark apartment to a real daily transformation

If I'm so passionate about light therapy today, it's simply because I needed it.

I didn't discover it through a book or an ad, or because it was trending. It all started much more concretely, in my own apartment!

Living in a dark apartment...

Over time, my mood took a hit, and I started to notice several things:

• persistent fatigue;
• a general lack of energy;
• restless, unrefreshing nights;
• a feeling of "brain fog" every morning when I woke up.

It crept in gradually and I ended up just living with it, thinking it was normal. But looking back, I realised just how much the lack of light had been affecting my overall wellbeing. Having to keep artificial lights on in the middle of the day wasn't a satisfying solution.

My first fix: making my apartment brighter

Before turning to light therapy, I wanted to improve what I already had, so I decided to repaint my entire apartment. At the time, the walls were in fairly dark shades: beige, lavender... Visually warm but useless for reflecting light.

I repainted every room white. The change was remarkable:

• much more brightness;
• the rooms felt bigger;
• the whole place felt lighter and more airy.

But despite this improvement (which I really felt at first), the natural light was still not enough.

Discovering light therapy

That's when I started looking into light therapy.

At first, I was skeptical: it felt more like a marketing gimmick to me. A lamp that replaces the sun? But then I started digging deeper, and I entered a pretty intense research phase. When something catches my interest, I like to get to the bottom of it and can spend entire days making sure I make an informed choice (get it? 😁). I consulted all kinds of:

• lamp comparisons;
• user reviews;
• specialist forums;
• customer feedback;
• technical data (lux, UV, distance...).

In short, hours and hours spent sorting through sometimes contradictory information.

Buying my first light therapy lamp

After extensive research, I finally settled on a specific lamp.

My goal was simple:

• sufficient light intensity;
• a compact form factor;
• easy to use every day.

I used that lamp for years and still occasionally turn it on.

I go into full detail in my review: my review of the light therapy lamp I use .

My daily routine with the lamp

The effects started to appear gradually. Not overnight, but clearly and noticeably over the course of a few days.

The first effects I noticed

This is personal, but here's what I observed:

• waking up felt easier;
• a sense of energy I hadn't felt in a long time;
• less fatigue;
• better concentration, especially in the morning.

Nothing dramatic, but a noticeable enough improvement to keep using the lamp regularly and to really appreciate how much light matters in everyday life.

I've written more about all the benefits I experienced here: the benefits of light therapy, based on my own experience .

Why I then bought light therapy glasses

For a long time, the lamp was enough. But I eventually got tired of having to stay close to it to get any benefit.

The concept intrigued me: receiving light directly through the visual field while staying mobile. I hesitated for several months before finally taking the plunge. And I'm so glad I did. Absolutely no regrets!

How I use the glasses every day

Unlike the lamp, the glasses give you total freedom. They slotted into my routine much more naturally.

I use them:

• while working at my computer;
• while reading;
• in the morning while getting ready.

My full review: my review of the light therapy glasses .

Lamp or glasses: my take after using both

Having used both solutions over time, I can say they complement each other well.

• The lamp: ideal for a fixed routine
• The glasses: perfect when you're on the move

I've put together a detailed comparison here: light therapy glasses vs lamp: my real-life comparison .

Does light therapy really work?

It's probably the most important question. And my answer is simple: yes... but not the way you might expect.

It's not a miracle cure. It's not instant. But used regularly, in the right conditions, I clearly felt a difference.

Especially on:

• morning energy, and the brain fog finally lifting;
• more regular, better quality sleep;
• my ability to concentrate.

I've written up a detailed review here: does light therapy really work? My verdict after using it .

Where I stand today

Looking back, bringing light therapy into my daily life has been one of the simplest and most useful changes I've made.

Especially when you live somewhere without much light.

These days I use my lamp now and then, and my glasses every day.

Where to start if you're new to light therapy

If you're still doing your research, here's the order I'd suggest:

• Read my review of the premium AYO glasses, which I now use every day
• See my review of the lamp I use
• Read my thoughts on the Luminette 3
• Compare the two options

That will already give you a very concrete idea of what could work for you. Owning both a light therapy lamp and glasses is probably ideal, but it's a significant cost. Fortunately, once you're well informed and know what you need, you'll be able to make the right choice and find the option that suits you best!