I don't look forward to winter. It's not the colder temperatures. It's the shorter days and grey, gloomy skies that get to me.
That's because the lack of sunshine during the winter months really affects my mood. From October to April, I feel less energetic, less happy and more stressed.
I'm not alone. An estimated 47 million Americans suffer from the "winter blues". So if you feel tired during the day, have trouble falling asleep and staying asleep at night, or feel anxious or irritable, you probably have it too.
The Light-Sleep Connection
As you may already know, your sleep cycle is controlled by the hormone melatonin. At night, your pineal gland turns on melatonin production to help you sleep. During the day, it turns off melatonin production to keep you alert.
But here's the problem: In winter, the shorter days and grey skies mean we don't get enough bright sunshine. So your body continues to produce a small amount of melatonin during the day. The result? You feel sleepy and sluggish.
Plus, we get too much artificial light at night. We sit in well-lit rooms right up until bedtime, or leave the TV or reading lamp on, or simply have light "pollution" filtering in through our windows.
All of these light sources can reduce your nightly melatonin production. And that's when you really need melatonin. Melatonin helps you prepare for sleep by slowing your body down and lowering your blood pressure. The result? You don't get enough melatonin, and you don't sleep as well.
That's why for years I've told my patients to supplement with melatonin. I take it myself. It does help me get back to sleep. And I don't wake up as often.
But I'm always looking for ways to reduce the number of supplements I take. I prefer health treatments that help my body naturally produce what it needs to function properly.
Plus, while taking extra melatonin at night can help you sleep, it won't help turn off your melatonin production during the day.
Full spectrum bulbs and light boxes offer some help. If you can expose yourself to bright light in the morning, it sends a signal to your body's "time clock" and helps reset your body's melatonin production.
But unfortunately, these solutions come with problems of their own.
For one thing, the light boxes are expensive. They can cost as much as $400 - $500! For another, they are big and clunky. That makes it difficult and uncomfortable to sit in front of them for the hour plus it takes to do any good.
Not only that, the fluorescent light bulbs most light boxes contain are fragile and break easily. And many contain toxic mercury!
That's why I was so excited to find an alternative solution that only takes 15-30 minutes to work. It's lightweight and easy to move around. And it doesn't use fluorescent bulbs. So there's no risk of broken glass or mercury release.
So what is this marvelous invention? It's called the Litebook®.
Not Like "Full-Spectrum" Bulbs of the Past
First of all, the Litebook is about the size of two small cell phones taped together. But despite its small size, the Litebook packs a powerful punch.
The Litebook uses a patented bright white light emitting diode (LED) technology. You may have noticed LED lights on billboards, traffic lights, and even Christmas tree lights. They're remarkably bright and clear.
The Litebook emits light that is the equivalent to 10,000 LUX. But that's not where the real benefit lies. You see, the latest research shows that effective light therapy is less dependent on the intensity (LUX) of the light source than it is on the wavelength of the light.
The Litebook is designed to mimic the sun's natural rays. It uses a wavelength that's identical to the peak wave of sunlight — minus the harmful ultraviolet radiation, so it's safe for your skin and eyes.
Because the Litebook uses this specific wavelength, it only takes about 15-30 minutes a day to be effective.
These wavelengths of light are the "action spectrum" for light therapy. In other words, these wavelengths of light are responsible for increasing energy, improving mood, and restoring sleep patterns.
But despite all that, the Litebook uses less than one-tenth of the electricity of traditional light boxes. And it generates virtually no heat.
Proven to Work by Researchers at Yale University
More than 70 different trials have shown that light therapy reduces symptoms of the seasonal blues.
Even better, the Litebook itself was recently studied by a group of researchers that included several from Yale University. The trial was randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled - the "gold standard" in research.
23 participants answered a 24-item questionnaire about their winter blues. Some were treated using the Litebook; others used a "dummy" box that emitted no light. (They were told it was an ion emitter.) They answered the same questionnaire every week for four weeks.
After four weeks, 57% of participants who used the Litebook reported a complete remission. That means their symptoms improved so much they were no longer considered to be suffering from seasonal depression. That was five times better than people who used the "dummy" box!
You Won't Be Convinced Until You Try it Yourself
As impressive as the research was, I wasn't really convinced until I tried the Litebook myself. After using it just a few weeks, I found I was able to fall asleep faster.
And it's very easy to use. As I already mentioned, it takes just 15 to 30 minutes a day - and you can do it without interrupting your daily routine. You can read, apply make-up, or work at your computer all while basking in the light.
For ideal exposure, you place the Litebook just a foot or two from your face. The right frequency light comes on and stays on for the amount of time you choose.
And you don't even have to plug it in if you don't want to. The Litebook comes with a rechargeable battery that makes it perfect for travel. Plus its small size and light weight make it easy to take anywhere. (It's a wonderful way to avoid jet lag!)
If you have any trouble sleeping at night…or if you have days during the winter months where you just don't feel quite like your normal self, I strongly recommend you give the Litebook a try.
At $199, it's a small price to pay to feel better during the day and sleep better throughout the night.
Plus, when you buy two Litebooks, you'll pay just $329. That's a savings of $69.
Buy an extra one for your home or office. Or if you know anyone who has the blahs or has trouble sleeping in the winter months, the Litebook makes a great gift.
Yes, I want to try the Litebook. I'm ready to feel better during the day…and to sleep better at night.
Sleep Like a Baby and Smile More this Winter… or Your Money Back
So if you want to go to sleep quickly — and stay asleep — every night…
If you'd like to become happier, more energetic and less stressed during the winter months…
Then I urge you to give the Litebook a try today.
When it arrives, take it out of the box, plug it in and sit in front of it for just 15 to 30 minutes every morning.
Try it for 60 days. If you don't feel better and sleep better — in fact, if you're not satisfied for any reason at all, just send it back. We'll refund every penny you paid — including shipping. After that, you're still protected by a 2-year manufacturer's warranty.
Send me my Litebook today. I understand that if I don't feel better, sleep better and have more energy within 60 days, I can return it for a full refund.
So what are you waiting for? Why live with stress and fatigue each day when there's a simple, guaranteed way to rid yourself of it in just a few short weeks?
You have nothing to lose, so act now! Fill out and return the order form below or call us toll-free at 1-800-791-3395. Our health consultants are available to help you 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Yours in good health,
Nan Kathryn Fuchs, PhD
P.S. Don't forget…there's absolutely no risk. If the Litebook doesn't help you sleep better at night and give you more energy during the day, just return it within 60 days for a full refund — including shipping. But I'm confident that won't happen. In fact, I suspect that after using it for a few weeks, you wouldn't part with it for any price. I know I wouldn't part with mine.
To order your Litebook right now, click here.
Dr. Nan Fuchs is compensated by Advanced Bionutritionals for her work in formulating and endorsing this product.
Results of the study "A Controlled Trial of the Litebook Light-Emitting Diode (LED) Light Therapy Device for Treatment of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)", www.biomedcentral.com/1471-244X/7/38
Litebook® is a registered trademark of the The Litebook Company, Ltd.