What is a good, inexpensive option for light therapy in Scotland?

May 20, 2009 7:47 PM

Where can I find a sun lamp (or something similar) for a reasonable price that can be shipped to Edinburgh?

My wonderful little brother is graduating from college very soon and will be spending his next year in Scotland. He's never been diagnosed with seasonal affective disorder but it's clear that he gets melancholy whenever the days are short and while he is very excited about living in Scotland he is worried about the lack of sun.

I'd really like to get him a sun lamp or something very much like it for his graduation present. My priorities are:

1) Ability to be shipped to Edinburgh -- he'll be moving from the US and he won't want to pack too much or bring anything that might get damaged or be heavy

2) Efficacy -- it doesn't have to be super amazing; my brother does still function during the winter, but he clearly suffers so I'm not concerned that it be medically certified or anything I just want it to work

3) Price -- this is a big one as I don't have a whole lot of money and I can find plenty of good sun lamps from the UK which are hundreds of pounds and my paltry dollars feel even sadder than usual but I don't know which if any of the items within my price range are reputable

If you or a loved one (or even a mere acquaintance) has any experience with UK versions of these types of lamps, especially budget models, I'd be very grateful. Thanks in advance for your help!

posted by Mrs. Pterodactyl to health & fitness (8 comments total)

I love my Biobrite. Is about $120 cheap? I somehow seem to remember a few sites that sold it in England.

I have a friend who has this one. It's definitely cheaply made - he wished in retrospect that he'd gotten my model.
posted by archofatlas at 9:29 PM on May 20

I should mention that Biobrite also makes a budget version.
posted by archofatlas at 9:31 PM on May 20

I bought this one a few years ago from Amazon and just wanted to warn you against it. I'd only used it a few times before sending it back because it gave off the most horrible chemical smell when turned on -- I just couldn't stand it. As archofatlas points out, some are better than others. If at all possible, I recommend you only send a model you've tested firsthand.

You also might want to read Artificial Lighting and the Blue Light Hazard.
posted by LuckySeven~ at 10:40 PM on May 20

I live in Seattle, and have issues with SAD; i got one of these and have been extremely happy with it. As a bonus these have built-in rechargable batteries and are relatively small; i carry mine in my backpack during the winter.

It's been a huge help!
posted by AaronRaphael at 11:41 PM on May 20

No recommendations, but in comparison with other Scottish cities, Edinburgh is quite airy, open and multi-coloured (it doesn't have the grey buildings of Aberdeen or the constant overcast common on the West Coast), so as far as SAD goes, he's probably going to the best place in Scotland for avoiding it.

There's also the local range of Pentland Hills, as well as Arthur's Seat and Salisbury Crags in the centre of town - I always find a jaunt up any of them, even on a grey day, is a great way to lift the spirits.

Finally, tell him to count chimneys on grey days.
posted by Happy Dave at 2:09 AM on May 21

Would a full spectrum lightbulb from a pet store not do the same thing?
posted by Iteki at 2:45 AM on May 21

I fitted 32w. compact flourescent daylight bulbs bought from eBay UK Shop UKRMART to the standard bulb fittings in some of the desk/standard/ceiling lamps in my living room. A little startling and harsh for the first few nights but I soon got used to it and yipee! No more SAD. If he spends time at his pooter maybe get one to fit his desk lamp. Bearing in mind that if the lamp is UKian the bulb will probably need a BC/B22 bayonet fitting.
posted by Dr.Pill at 10:27 AM on May 21

Thank you, everyone -- AaronRaphael's suggestion sounds like just what I'm looking for.
posted by Mrs. Pterodactyl at 4:21 AM on May 22