This light therapy lamp might be the key to boosting your mood and overcoming the late winter blues

Published Feb 17, 2025 12:00 am ET


We might earn a commission if you make a purchase through one of the links. The McClatchy Commerce Content team, which is independent from our newsroom, oversees this content.

The harsh cold of late winter can take a toll on your mood, especially if you’re prone to Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). SAD can look different for everyone, with many experiencing fatigue and sleeping more than usual, along with brain fog and craving carb-heavy foods. If you know that you’re affected by SAD during the short days of winter, bright light therapy can mitigate its effects and help you feel more energetic and in a better mood.

A light therapy lamp, like the LED-powered HappyLight Luxe, mimics daylight. And according to Harvard Health, when used regularly, it can be your daily dose of sunshine to help stimulate your body’s hormones and improve your mood, sleep and overall well-being. Here’s why this slim, portable lamp can reduce the effects of long dark evenings in just a few minutes a day.

Verilux HappyLight Luxe Light Therapy Lamp, $69.99

Amazon

The HappyLight Luxe works to emit a therapeutic level of 10,000 Lux that’s UV-free, full-spectrum and safe for natural light therapy. The light screen is matte and free from glares, and the LED lights beneath the screen don’t cast tiny flickers. The light is also free of hotspots, meaning the light it emits across the screen is even and bright. There are four brightness levels and three HappyHue color temperature options (warm white to daylight) to choose from. The light screen is programmable and has a convenient countdown timer that can go for up to one hour in five-minute increments.

It’s easy to place the tablet in your home or office with the included detachable stand and wall mount, so you can place it anywhere. You can also travel with it, as it’s easy to slip in your r carry-on. It’s ultra-thin with 11.7 x 7.4 x 0.5 dimensions and only weighs about two pounds. Its portability makes it easy to begin incorporating a light therapy routine into your day.

Many customers on Amazon like the VeriLux lamp giving it a 4.5 out of 5 stars and 3,300 5-star ratings. One customer says, “It has made a noticeable difference in my energy levels and mood, and I appreciate the convenience and customization options it offers. I would highly recommend this light therapy device to anyone who is looking to improve their mental health and well-being.”

Getting more light exposure can have a positive impact on your overall mood, and the Verilux HappyLight Luxe emits a therapeutic dose of light for however long you need it. It’s travel friendly and well-reviewed by customers. It’s a solid choice to begin bright light therapy.

Lauren Wilrich

Lauren Wilrich

Author McClatchy Commerce

Lauren is a Commerce Updates Editor at McClatchy. She is based in Houston, Texas, and holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas at Dallas. Lauren has written for women’s accessories and home goods brands and has edited commerce content for numerous publications with a focus on home and kitchen gadgets, health, and beauty verticals. When she’s not editing, she can be found enjoying Houston’s restaurant scene and attempting DIY arts and crafting projects.

Abby Kass

Abby Kass

Editor McClatchy Commerce

Abby Kass is a Commerce Content Editor at McClatchy covering kids/babies, pets, beauty, and more. With more than seven years experience writing and editing shopping content, Abby has a strong understanding of how important commerce content really is and its important value to readers. She loves browsing online and finding innovative, unique, and just down-right cool products. Before McClatchy, Abby started her career working for Parents Magazine where she fell in love with writing about products. She then spent six years at BuzzFeed falling deeper into the shopping world writing more than 1,500 product roundups and reviews. She sees shopping as a sport and has worked hard at mastering it in order to help make people’s lives easier as they find cool and useful products.