With the changing seasons, the prevalence of Seasonal Affective Disorder increases. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a specific type of depression related to a change in seasons. It’s caused by the reduced bright light in darker seasons. It affects many individuals, and affected individuals experience it at the same time every year. This disorder can cause low energy and low moods in the winter months. Fortunately, an effective and popular remedy is light therapy by using a light box.
This light therapy is a form of therapy that aims to mimic the bright natural light that is no longer available outside. Light therapy for 30 minutes every day is effective for treating SAD. You can purchase light therapy boxes online, but if you do not have the budget to get one or enjoy the fulfillment that comes with building something that works yourself, you should choose the DIY route. Light therapy boxes can be easily constructed and we are about to show you how.
Prepare Your Materials
There are quite a few materials needed to build a light therapy box. First, you will need a wooden box that is painted white on the inside, light bulb holders, CFL light bulbs, wiring, a plug, electric tape, and a covering.
Fix In Your Light Bulb Holders
Once you have painted the inside of your box with white paint and it has dried, you can now fix the lamp holders in the box. Make sure the holders will be equally distributed. You can decide the number of bulbs you will be using. On the outside of the back of the box, draw outlines of the light bulb holder. Make sure these holes are the exact size and not larger as that would lead to leaking of light. Once you are satisfied with the outlines you have drawn, use a saw to cut holes using the outlines as a guide. Put your light bulb holders into the holes, make sure they fit, and then secure them with electric tape and glue to ensure they do not fall out or move around.
Set Up The Wiring
Use the electric wire you have prepared earlier and connect each light bulb holder serially. To join the bulb holders serially, simply connect the positive terminal of one bulb holder to the negative terminal of the other using the wiring in a serial pattern. The last two terminals on both ends will then be connected securely to the plug. Make sure you carefully put the wiring into the plug to prevent damage and keep it in place with electrical tape. Also, cover all the wiring with electric tape to avoid disconnection or interruptions.
Cover The Wiring And Put In The Light Bulbs
To be completely safe, you will need to cover the back of the light therapy box and the wiring. You could use a thick insulating material or cover it with another box. Make sure there is a space for the plug to exit and remain free. After this, screw your light bulbs into the light bulb holders tightly. Do not let up yet, the process is almost done.
Test Your Light Box
The last step is to reap the fruits of your labor. Plug your light box in to test it. If you did everything right, your light box should turn on and shine brightly. Enjoy your light therapy box throughout the season! However, if it does not turn on, go back and check your connections.
To conclude, light therapy boxes can be incredibly useful in treating Seasonal Affective Disorder, and you can build a light therapy box that can be effective using our simple process. These boxes can be too expensive for many people, and building your own is a relatively economical choice. However, never leave your DIY light box unattended. Always make sure you have an adult present when it is switched on. Though the risk is low, leaving the light box on for too long can cause the bulbs to run too hot and lead to a fire.
