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Light Boxes Combat Orkney's Dark Winters for Mental Health
26 Dec
Summary
- Orkney libraries lend therapeutic light boxes to combat winter mood.
- The Wintering Well boxes include lamps, guidebooks, and online resources.
- The initiative is part of a UKRI-funded research project on SAD.
In the Orkney Islands, a creative initiative is providing "boxes of light" to help combat the effects of low winter mood and seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Residents can borrow these "Wintering Well Boxes" from the local library, which has seen them become "super popular." These kits are designed to support the more than one million people in Britain who experience SAD.
The Wintering Well Boxes contain a therapeutic lamp to offset the negative impacts of diminished light on mental health, alongside a guidebook offering tips for indoor and outdoor activities to establish a new winter routine. Access to free online resources is also provided, and a unique sky frame helps users focus on available light. The program, part of the UKRI-funded Living with Sad research project, aims to bring these vital resources to more communities, with plans to expand their availability.
This effort acknowledges the significant impact of winter darkness on well-being, particularly in regions like Orkney where daylight is scarce during the winter months. Feedback from a pilot program indicated that borrowers felt more equipped to start their days and often adjusted their routines to incorporate more daylight activities. The project's lead researcher envisions these boxes becoming a staple in public libraries nationwide, transforming them into essential health and wellbeing hubs.
