The winter solstice is barely a month away.
As Dec. 21 approaches and days become shorter and colder, people can experience seasonal mood changes.
Studies have shown that a lack of sunlight can have negative effects on well-being and can cause health issues including Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), a form of depression triggered by diminished daylight in the autumn and winter months.
Light therapy lamps that mimic spring and summer light levels to help SAD or the "winter blues" are particularly popular during this time of the year.
And if you're a patron of the Burnaby Public Library, you have the opportunity to borrow one of its light therapy lamps, part of the library's curiosity collection, to help you get some extra daylight this winter.
Each light therapy lamp kit comes with a lamp, stand, power adapter and instructions for use — simply plug in the lamp, and position it 15 cm to 60 cm away. (But be careful not to shine the light directly in your face.) The lamps can be used for 15 minutes to one hour each session.
Due to high demand, it is advised to place a hold on the lamp with your library card. Borrowing the lamp is free for library members.
If you would rather own one, you can buy these popular ones from retailers or online.
Light therapy lamps are also available from other B.C. public libraries, including:
