MESA 160 MEGA BRIGHT SAD LIGHT BOX

Mesa Mega Bright with Dimmer SAD Light Box - Treatment Time 30 Mins

If you are looking for the most powerful SAD light therapy available in its price range, then the Mega Bright is it. 

It gives a super quick light therapy treatment in a very bright and stylish lightbox, and its contemporary curved prism diffuser maximises the light to ensure the ultimate light therapy brightness. The dimmer feature allows you to vary the brightness of the light you use during your therapy session

It delivers a SAD therapeautic 10000 lux at 65 cms, so you can sit at a comfortable and practical distance from the lightbox. It is cased in tough white steel, and has a sturdy prop to angle it on a table, or it can be hung on the wall. All in all the Mega Bright box is a very versatile light therapy unit.

INNOSOL Mesa 160 Mega Bright DIM is extremely powerful Bright Light therapy lamp for demanding users. It is the same lamp as Mesa 160 but it is improved by adding a dimmer as well as reflectors and a more transparent (78%) shade.

Therapy distance: 140 cm (2.500 lx)
Light temperature: 4.000 K (natural white)

Weight: 5.5kg

WHAT IS BRIGHT LIGHT THERAPY?

Congratulations for purchasing INNOSOL bright light therapy lamp. Before using the lamp, it is good to know what effects bright light has on your body and how to use bright light therapy effectively. Many people suffer from lethargy and depression during the dark winter season. This condition is known as SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder). Scientific research has shown that as the amount of natural light decreases, the body may physiologically respond to these "unfavourable living conditions" by adjusting certain hormone levels and biological activities. SUB SAD or the Winter Blues is a milder form of SAD affecting a considerably larger number of people.

The effects of these adjustments may include:

• Intense fatigue, exhaustion and various sleep disorders
• Increased appetite leading to weight gain
• General passivity and depression
• Decreased work efficiency and loss of vitality

On a sunny day the strength of light is approximately 50 000 - 100 000 lux, whereas indoors it is as little as 100-200 lux.

An effective bright light therapy session requires the eyes to be exposed to at least 2 500 lux. Via the retina and the optic nerves the light affects the brain's light sensitive region (suprachiasmatic cellkernel), which adjusts the body's physiological cycles in accordance with the rhythm of day and night. The light reduces the amount of the sleep hormone melatonin, secreted by the pineal gland. Melatonin is a key factor in the regulation of alertness and sleep cycles, but also in the prevention of SAD. Bright light therapy helps you alleviate these problems and regain vitality.

If the symptoms are severe, they should be treated under medical supervision.

THERAPY INSTRUCTIONS

Start bright light therapy before any symptoms of SAD appear, preferably soon after nights start drawing in.

Take a bright light session 3-5 times a week throughout the winter. If the symptoms are not relieved or they reappear, try taking daily sessions for 1-2 weeks. You may even begin with daily sessions or repeat this intensity whenever you feel you need it. One session lasts for 0.5 - 2 hours. Longer than two hours does not intensify the effect but there's no harm of longer sessions.  It is advisable to take the session between 6.00 a.m. and 6.00 p.m. but it is most effective in the morning between 6 and 8.

A session in the evening may disturb sleep. If you tend to have evening sleepiness (common to elderly people), you might want to try taking the sessions earlier in the evening in order to stay up longer. You can also divide the session into several shorter periods during the same day if it suits your schedule better.

There is no need to look straight into the light source, but you should keep it within your visual field during the whole session. You can read, write or do other things in the meantime. The effectiveness of bright light therapy correlates withthe distance between your face and the light source. Make sure that your face is not further from the lamp than the announced therapy distance on the model instructions. You can shorten the required session time by sitting closer to the lamp.

Bright light therapy also helps speed recovery from jet-lag. A session in the evening will delay your sleep cycle, a session in the morning will have an opposite effect.

IMPORTANT NOTES ON BRIGHT LIGHT THERAPY

The lamp comes with an electronic ballast which raises the light frequency up to 30 000 Hz, where flicker is not noticeable to the eye.

After the first few sessions, mild headache or eye strain may occur. This is quite normal and such side effects usually disappear in a few days. If this does not happen, stop the therapy and consult your doctor before continuing. Not all people suffer from SAD due to lack of daylight. Exhaustion, sleep disorders and depression may have other causes. Bright light therapy is most effective when combined with regular physical exercise and a healthy diet.

Consult your doctor before starting bright light therapy if you suffer from:

• eye illnesses (e.g. eye inflammation or hypersensitivity)
• mental disorders
• or if you use psychotropic drugs

When you start the bright light therapy, it is useful to take notes on the effects it has on you. This helps you determine

which way the therapy works best for you. The need for bright light therapy as well as its duration and frequency vary

individually. Use the therapy diary on the back of this booklet.

USE OF THE LIGHT

1. Install the fluorescent tubes according to the model instruction. In some of the models the tubes are already installed.

2. The lamp is not designed for use in a bathroom, sauna or any other damp place, nor outdoors.

3. Connect the plug to a wall socket. The charge must be 220 - 240 V.

4. Use the switch in the electric cord to turn on the lamp. The light levels of the new fluorescent tubes may fluctuate during the first

    few hours, but this usually ceases after approximately ten hours of use.

5. Switch off the power after use.

REPLACING THE FLUORESCENT TUBES

1. When replacing the tubes, check that the new ones have similar specifications to the originals.

2. Place the lamp on its back on a dry, clean and flat surface. Make sure that the plug is disconnected.

3. Remove the protective shield and change the fluorescent tubes according to the model instructions sheet.

4. Once the fluorescent tubes are firmly in place, check that they work before replacing the shade.

    - Please do not discard tubes with normal household refuse.

5. Dispose of the tubes appropriately so as not to endanger people or the environment.

MAINTENANCE OF THE LAMP

Keep the lamp clean and dust free. Always disconnect and allow tubes to cool down before cleaning. Use a damp cloth to clean its outer surfaces as well as the fluorescent tubes and inner surfaces. Do not use any solvents or detergents which may harm the surfaces. Do not let any water leak into the lamp.

IMPORTANT

Do not let children play with the lamp

If the electric cord is damaged, it must be replaced by an authorised electrician

VAT Exemption - in brief

Customers should note that Seasonal Affective Disorder is deemed to be disabling and may qualify for VAT relief. All products sold for these conditions are clearly marked as being sold as VAT free for which the appropriate VAT Exemption Form will be sent with your order and must be returned in the envelope provided in order to qualify for the VAT-free price.

If you suffer from S.A.D. choose the VAT Exempt price VAT will not be added to your order.

By choosing this option you are declaring that you are suffering from Seasonal Affective Disorder and that you are receiving from Sad Shop®.

Please read below for more on VAT Exemption.

VAT Exemption 

IN BRIEF

VAT exemption applies to:
- Disabled or Chronically sick individuals buying for Personal Use.
- Registered charities buying for the use of the disabled person.

NOTE: the item purchased must relate to the specific disability.
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is classified as disabling. 
Where required for treating SAD, lightboxes can be classified as zero-rated if the appropriate form is signed. 

Customers should note that Seasonal Affective Disorder is deemed to be disabling and may qualify for VAT relief. All products sold for these conditions are clearly marked as being sold as VAT free for which the appropriate VAT Exemption Form will be sent and must be returned in the envelope provided in order to qualify for the VAT-free price.

Products which qualify for VAT relief are for personal use only and must be for the specified condition e.g Seasonal Affective Disorder etc.

The sale of such products is based on these conditions.

If you are not sure if you qualify or you require further information you should contact us before purchasing either by emailing us at sadbox@aol.com or telephone             (01704) 500505      

(However Natural Alarm Clocks are not classified as treatments and therefore VAT will be included in the final price of these)

Claiming Exemption is easy

When placing an order you will have the option of choosing VAT exemption or not. 

If you choose the VAT exempt option we will send you a form which will need to be completed and returned with 7 days otherwise you will be charged VAT at the appropriate rate. 

Exemption is activated by signing and returning the form we have sent you. 
No other proof is required, but fraudulent claims could be checked and could constitute an offence. This form can be signed by the person themselves, a guardian, a carer, a parent or a representative.

An example of a fraudulent claim might be for example if a lightbox was purchased as a colour lamp for art work- this would not be a zero-rated supply.

Detailed information is available from the Customs and Excise website.

Items for use in an institution, or if you are re-selling the goods you are not eligible for zero-rating.