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You've reached BioBrite's official blog! BioBrite Inc. is a privately-owned, therapeutic lighting company based in Bethesda, Maryland. We do business online and through sleep wellness stores and clinics across the U.S. and internationally. We manufacture and sell a variety of dawn simulator alarm clocks and light therapy devices for those with sleeping problems or who suffer with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). If you suffer from seasonal depression, jet lag, sleeping problems, or are in search of a superior dawn simulator clock, you've reached the right company.

Established in 1989, BioBrite Inc. is one of the world's oldest healthy lighting companies. We are a member of the Circadian Lighting Association (CLA) and the Society for Light Treatment and Biological Rhythms (SLTBR). Our research activities are guided by a distinguished board of scientific advisors. See our products in action on our Youtube page. We are not doctors, so if you're experiencing something you feel should be checked out or diagnosed, please see your doctor about it.

Please visit www.BioBrite.com for a list of products or see our introductory post here on LiveJournal.

And, now you can fan us on Facebook or view us on Youtube!

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Daylight Saving Time will end on Nov. 6! Shifts in circadian rhythms can throw your daily routine off, so prepare with these sleep tips:

1.  Manage the Light Environment: Light is a major factor in sleep quality. For the best sleeping, total darkness is best. A television or laptop can tend to stimulate your senses, making sleep more difficult. Even the light of a digital alarm clock can interfere with sleep. Shades can help to prevent outside light from coming into a room. Use a dawn and dusk simulator to improve your sleep. A sunrise/sunset clock that allows one to gradually wake up to light and dims light before bedtime can result in better sleep.

2.  Manage the Physical Environment: Go to sleep and wake up at the same time every day. Staying on a schedule can help you fall asleep more easily at night and reinforce your body’s sleep-wake pattern. Adjust the temperature to your preferences Sometimes a cooler environment is preferable. You will sleep better in a fresh air environment rather than a stuffy bedroom. Choose to sleep on a comfortable pillow and mattress. Sleep in a quiet bedroom.

3.  Relax before Bedtime: Establish time before bedtime that is relaxing. Activities like reading or listening to music can be done with dimmer lights to help ease the transition between wakefulness and sleepiness. Using a white noise generator that shuts out sounds that may keep you awake or using a sound generator may improve your sleep. Sleep sounds like waves on a beach or a hot bath can help one to relax. Keep the lights low before going to sleep.

4.  Avoid Stimulants: Stay away from caffeine, alcohol and nicotine in the evening. These are stimulants that can keep you awake.

5.  Get Regular Exercise. As little as twenty to thirty minutes a day is helpful. It is better to complete your exercise a few hours before bedtime but not just before bedtime.

6.  Food and Liquids: Don’t eat or drink too much before bedtime. Try to eat or drink at least 2 to 3 hours before sleeping. Food before sleep can cause discomfort and too much liquid can cause you to wake too much during the night.

7.  Establish a routine: Sleep mainly at night. Naps can take away from sleep during your nighttime hours. A general guideline for adults is 7-8 hours a night. If you wake up groggy and tired this is a sign that you may need to increase your sleep intake.

Also sleeping pills are best avoided however if they appear to be needed as a last resort be sure to contact a health practitioner.

These sleep tips generally apply to everyone but special exceptions may apply to certain adults, teenagers and children. In those cases a health practitioner should be consulted.

For further information you can reference the websites of the National Sleep Foundation, the Mayo Clinic, the National Institute of Health and Dr. Abraham Katz. Image above from clipart.com.

It's been raining near constantly for days now as Tropical Storm Lee moves through. Because of the gloom and rain, many people in our area have been trying to identify what it is that's missing.




Those on the metro this morning had a great conversation and concluded
"SUN!" You need exposure to light in order to regulate your sleep
schedules and feel more energized. Someone wrote to us asking about SAD
disorder and what caused it, and was surprised that she'd never taken
weather into consideration as a factor. Read on to learn about Seasonal Affective Disorder.

SAD can be treated by using light therapy through a light box or a visor. The industry standard for an effective light box is 10,000 lux (a measure of light) and should be used about 18 inches away from the body. You don't want to stare at it but you do want to make sure the light can reach your eyes. You also want to make sure the light box you're using doesn't emit UV rays (none of BioBrite's do).

The other option is a light visor like BioBrite's Deluxe Light Visor which ranges from 500 to 3000 lux. It's equivalent to a light box since it's closer to your eyes. You want to make sure your visor is designed so the light hits over your eyes the same way the sun would (the DLV is). The DLV comes with a brightness controller and timer so once you find the length of time and brightness that works for you, you don't have to worry about remembering to turn it off.

People often use BioBrite SunRise Clocks along with their light therapy to help correct any sleep issues.




Scientists know that light is the key to sleep. Our brains are programmed to respond to the daily cycle of light (called circadian rhythms). When the sun comes up, we become alert and energized, and when the sun goes down, we naturally slow down and get ready for sleep. The BioBrite SunRise Clock is based on this principle. It wakes you up with a gradually brightening light in the morning and helps you relax and fall asleep with an artificial sunset at night. So if you need a boost after a rough night, use a SunRise Clock to start the next day off right. And after you get to work, use a special BioBrite desklamp to increase your energy level with extra light during the day. Taking your lunch break outside on a sunny day helps too.

People who use a BioBrite SunRise Clock quickly become hooked, and never go back to a "traditional" bleeting alarm clock. You can see some customer testimonials and find more information on our site www.BioBrite.com.

Photos above from Depressionam.com and BioBrite.com

Sleep! While the most obvious way to rest, it's not the only answer to getting the anxiety-free, positive, rested feeling you crave.



Dr. Matthew Edlund, Director of the Sleep Institute of the Gulf Coast and the Center for Circadian Medicine in Sarasota, Fla., has some tips for us when it comes to feeling truly rested, and we've added a few of our own.

*Physically - Get to sleep. Your body repairs itself during sleep, so it's important to think about quality. There are several stages of sleep; if you don't get enough REM quality you'll wake up feeling off. See your doctor if you think you have a sleeping problem or circadian rhythm issue, and try a BioBrite SunRise Clock™ to help regulate your sleeping patterns by harnessing the power of your natural reaction to sunrise.

Stretch! It's important to remember your muscles hold tension as well. Try stretching or breathing exercises to lessen it and synchronize your mind's speed with your body's relaxation.

*Emotionally - Choose to take a break when something bothers you. Taking a brisk walk or even deciding to not think about the problem for a short time may help. Writing your feelings down is also a popular solution. If you often find your thoughts rushing at night, keep a worry diary by your bed so you can go to sleep with a settled mind.

*Socially - Yes, social rest is important as well. Too often we forget how good we feel after fraternizing with friends or having a heartfelt conversation. As social animals, it's natural that we receive a boost to our sense of well-being by talking with others.

*Spiritually & Mentally - Meditation, praying or entering periods of concentration helps calm nerves, soothe worries and keeps you connected with something larger than yourself, which often eases anxiety. If you're someone who counts your prayers and finds it awkward to do so in public, consider a SportCount Counter, which is worn on the index finger and pressed with the thumb.

These tips taken from life and LiveRightLiveWell. Got your own?

Photo credit: StressResponseIllness.com

It's almost July and already we're seeing Thanksgiving decorations at local shops. Thinking ahead is always wise, as is planning for the future. Keeping with that thought, let's talk about the upcoming Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) season.

SAD symptoms share some similarity to those of Depression, with the most notable SAD symptoms being:

daytime fatigue
sluggishness or lethargy
oversleeping
social withdrawal
hopelessness
weight gain
depression
suicidal thoughts
lack of interest in normal activities
decreased libido

Changing the amount of light you're exposed to can help curb these symptoms. Using a light box or BioBrite's Light Visor™ can help. Using the visor may be preferable simply because it allows the client to remain mobile and accomplish tasks instead of remaining sedentary in front of a light box.

Generally clients use a 10,000 lux light box for about 20 minutes per morning to start. (When using the Light Visor™ only 3000 lux are needed due to its closeness to your eyes.) Unlike with traditional medicine, where you can use your weight and height to determine the quantity you need, receiving light therapy depends on each person's brain. Therefore, it's up to each user to determine when they feel best. Generally, clients keep track of the distance from their eyes they position their light box, and the duration of time they use it for. They then experiment with different variables until they find a solution that best works for them. With BioBrite's Light Visor™ the time spent getting your therapy can be cut in half due to the close positioning of the visor to your eyes. It's positioned to hit your eyes the same way natural sunlight would, coming from above you rather than in front of you. With a light box, once it's on, it's on and there's no way to adjust the intensity. The Light Visor™ has a brightness control and timer so you can find the perfect formula for you.



The positive effect of bright artificial light on human mood and performance has been thoroughly researched and is recognized by many respected organizations, including the National Institutes of Health, the American Psychiatry Association, and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. BioBrite's Light Visor™ has been clinically tested and was developed with Drs. Norman Rosenthal and Thomas Wehr of the National Institutes of Health.

Dr. George Brainard, Jefferson Medical College, an acclaimed expert on the biological effects of light in humans, and Dr.Brenda Byrne a clinical expert on SAD, at the same institution, have conducted controlled clinical trials to measure the effect of the LED model Visor on melatonin ("the light hormone") suppression in normal human volunteers. The data was presented at the annual meeting of the 1999 Society for Light Treatment and Biological Rhythms (SLTBR), clearly demonstrated that LED Visor light can significantly suppress melatonin, an important marker for the biological activity of light. Later, prominent clinical investigators at Yale Medical School, and Jefferson Medical College, conducted an open trial of the LED Visor in SAD patients. All of the 10 patients who completed the study responded very well, and were pleased with the Visor. These results were reported at the 2000 annual meeting of the SLTBR, and can be found in the published abstracts, Vol. 12, of the society.

NAMI also has some great information on Seasonal Affective Disorder and reverse SAD as does BioBrite's Web site and Research section.

Yawnlog.com is a great place to track your sleeping habits. Turns out I get only six hours most nights, and that's just base. Most folks aim for eight per night but forget to take into consideration the quality and depth of sleep. I know that I need more than seven to feel awake, though some people need fewer hours while some need even more. To learn about the stages of sleep, check out this article from EveryDay Health.

I use dreams as a way to gauge my sleep; if I don't have a dream that I remember, I didn't reach R sleep. However not everyone is a lucid dreamer, and not everyone remembers their dreams for days. An easier indicator? If you feel rested upon waking up. Try falling asleep at the same time nightly, and waking up at the same time daily. On weekends, sleep only a few extra hours instead of the whole morning. Most people go through sleep cycles that last about 3 hours, so you'll want to wake up during a multiple of one of those cycles.

It's also easier if you start going to sleep an hour or half hour earlier each day until you hit a period that feels natural for you to sleep between. For example, I used to get tired at 11 but push myself to stay up until 11:30 to finish some last minute things around the house. Unfortunately, by 11:40, I wasn't tired anymore and would pay for it when 6 am came around. Now, I promptly head to bed at 10:45 knowing I'll be tired by 11, and I put my BioBrite to sunset mode over 30 minutes to ensure it.

On weekends, I don't sleep past 9 am so I can make sure my sleep schedule isn't too far off from my normal one; that way I don't experience "sluggish Monday." For more advice, see tips for healthy sleep below.

( Read more... )

Above: Footage of our Deluxe Light Visor (DLV) on The View.

Hey guys! We're on Youtube now, so click the link in the links bar of this blog to be taken to our page, or click here to be redirected. Youtube is a great place to see our products in action. It led us to be friends with our newest pal, SunRiseClocks.org. Check their channel too, for updates and reviews on the best clocks.

Also check the favorites on our site to see demos of lightboxes we carry, SleepPhones, news coverage and information about SAD disorder, and ways to beat the winter blues.

It's April! If it's getting a little warm where you are, you'll want to check out how ways to stay cool when sleeping. You may especially like this if AC isn't an option for you. Stay cool!

Tips in Brief:

1) Choose your bed threads wisely. Cool fabrics like sateen work best at keeping you cool.
2) Keep your room a comfortable temperature.
3) Be mindful of warm air rising to upper levels of your home.
4) Sleeping in cotton or other summery PJ's can help you stay cool.

Picture from This blog post on SAD.

Still feeling the winter blues, yet wintertime is gone? You may have Reverse SAD, wherein insomnia, agitation or anxiety, decreased appetite and weight loss may occur during summer months. At times, SAD can be misdiagnosed as hypoglycemia or hypothyroidism, so one thing to try would be keeping a journal of occurring symptoms. If you have winter and summer SAD, you'd feel fine around fall and spring. Read more about SAD symptoms at MayoClinic. Also check out BioBrite for more info.

Are you ready? Here it comes. Daylight Saving Time begins at 2 a.m. on Sunday, March 13, 2011. Do you remember whether you are springing forward or falling back? Whatever you do, odds are that your sleep patterns will be disturbed for at least a week or so. According to the National Sleep Foundation, 80% percent of Americans are already sleep deprived, and changing the clock by another hour this weekend won’t help that much. Millions of sleep deprived Americans will still be staggering to work on Monday morning. And family fights will still break out as parents try in vain to get their children up in time for school.

“Springing forward” is not as easy as simply setting your alarm clock an hour later. Think about how we feel when you travel to another time zone. You can set your clock to the new local time, but your brain and body don’t really believe the clock, and it often takes many days to adjust. This same kind of jet lag effect happens each time we shift our clocks for daylight savings time.

Is there anything you can do to make the semi-annual transition less painful? BioBrite Inc. has some suggestions and a new product that can help us get through the weekend in better shape, and sleep better though the rest of the year as well. According to BioBrite’s CEO, Kirk Renaud, “You have to reset your internal biological clock as well as the physical clocks around the house.” The key to doing that, he says, is to manage the environmental cues that program your biological clock.

Light is the most important environmental factor in setting your internal clock and ensuring good sleep quality. Daily light and dark cycles help set our internal clock to fit our daily schedules, so take control of the light environment in your bedroom. We need a dark environment to sleep well, so make your room as dark as possible when you are ready to go to sleep. Pre-bed TV watching or computer use should be avoided. Even glowing lights from electrical appliances and digital clock displays can disturb sleep, so turn that clock away so you can’t see it. Or, get an alarm clock like BioBrite’s SunRise Clock that automatically dims the display at night.

Of course, it makes sense to avoid noise and other distractions, and try to relax at bed time. You can wear earplugs or use the white noise feature on the SunRise Clock to help block noise from neighbors, roommates or snoring spouses. BioBrite’s newest clock offers gentle sleep sounds to help you relax, like the soft sound of waves on the beach. BioBrite’s Clock’s sundown feature gently fades the light’s brightness so you can fall asleep naturally to a sunset.

The method you use to wake up matters, too. An angry loud alarm or blathering DJ is bound to get you up on the wrong side of the bed. The best, most natural way to start the day is to wake up to the gradually increasing light of the sunrise. Millions of years of evolution have preprogrammed our brains to respond to the gentle glow of the sun coming up. BioBrite’s SunRise Clocks work on that fact. They produce a gradually brightening light that works just the way a real sunrise does, and you will wake up feeling refreshed and energized, ready to face the new day.

For more information about getting better sleep, visit www.BioBrite.com or phone (301) 961 5940. And look for BioBrite products at Amazon.com and many other fine dealers.