Make: Online : HOW TO - Build a blue LED light box

HOW TO - Build a blue LED light box

EWilhelm's new Instructable - "Build your own blue LED light box to combat SAD and winter blues. Sleep better and wake up with more energy while exploring the world of high-power LEDs. If 18 watts of LED power isn't enough to wake you, just add more LEDs!" Link.

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Posted by: milleker on February 21, 2006 at 11:19 AM

'Just say no' to Blue LED's in the Bedroom..

While Blue light has been said to be better for making you less sleepy, some researchers warn that blue light can even be harmful to your health.

See:
http://www.livescience.com/humanbiology/060201_blue_light.html
http://www.mdsupport.org/library/hazard.html

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Posted by: enenome on February 21, 2006 at 12:12 PM

Unfortunately a lot of this information, whether it be pro or con seems speculative and on the "holistic-front". I have to agree that Blue LEDs should be out of the bedroom and possibly moved into the bathroom. This scenario has worked for me.

For the last 50 days, I've been using LEDs in the morning when I shower. I have found that using blue LEDs from 460-490nm, "indirectly" for 10-20 minutes seems to have beneficial results, in heightened alterness and mood. I've created a 144 LED board using 460, 470 and 490nm blue LEDs, in no particular order, fabricated a sealed/waterproof acrylic enclosure and have it timer operated. The gradual, ramping on/off of the photocell proved annoying, so opted for a timer to have the "snap" on/off I was looking for, not to mention I can change the timer options easily.

Although I am happy person, it's hard to tell if this unit is working but showering in blue light is pretty cool and gives me something to look forward to in the morning.

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