For over a decade, I believe that I’ve suffered from a mild form of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). With this week having the longest night of the year, the winter blues are hitting a peak. I’ve wanted one of these SAD lights* for ages but they’ve always been prohibitively expensive. Not so any more – they can be had for as little £30. But, saying that, I’m sure you get what you pay for!

You can get ones that mimic sunrise and wake you up gradually all refreshed and ready to take on the day.  There are models that you can use during the day as you sit & work at your desk. There are even ones that double up as radio alarm clocks – with the choice of being awoken by a dawn chorus of songbirds or the cock-a-doodle-do of a cockerel!

1. Wake-up light – coloured sunrise simulation: £110, Philips
2. Lumie desk lamp – SAD light box & lamp in one – white: £117, Bodykind
3. Lumie Bodyclock Active 250 SAD lamp: £99, John Lewis
4. Lifemax medically approved SAD therapy light – simulated daylight system: £55.95, Amazon
5. Living desk S.A.D. lamp: £37.49, Argos

*Before using a light box or lamp to treat SAD, speak to your GP and check the manufacturer’s instructions