It is also helpful to have an outside objective individual to help monitor your response to the treatment. Since one of the symptoms of SAD can be difficulty awakening in the morning, some find it helpful to have the light turn on just before they are supposed to wake up. Some individuals like to use a Dawn Simulator. This is a bright light that is programmed to gradually increase its intensity such that it reaches its full intensity a set period before the individual is scheduled to awaken. Although it is less gentle, some people will put their light box beside their bed and hook it up to a timer set to turn on shortly before awakening.
Some people like to use full spectrum light bulbs for everyday household use.
There is no evidence that these low intensity bulbs affect mood or sleep phase. Your 10,000-lux light however, may be nice for some of your plants. Other treatments Outdoor light, even when the sky is overcast, provides as much or more light than a light box. There has been a study showing improvement in SAD symptoms when individuals took a one-hour daily walk outside. Outside light is often brighter than the light boxes.