What if instead of going outside to catch daylight, we could simply wear it? Seqinetic “sun” glasses do just that — letting users literally carry around bright white daylight. And what better timing: Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a form of seasonal depression that’s triggered by shorter days and limited sunlight, and affects up to two percent of the U.S. population. Soaking in the sun can influence the body’s production of melatonin, which helps improve mood, energy levels, and quality of sleepBenefits of sunlight: a bright spot for human health. Mead, M.N. Environmental Health Perspectives, 2008 Apr;116(4):A160-7.. The company says exposure to the sunglasses’ “daylight” can help improve mood and boost energy. The glasses (which resemble something Lady Gaga would wear) include six LED’s and a reflector that bounces soft “daylight” around the eyes. According to Seqinetic, the light is UV-free and harmless, so rather than staring at the sun (don’t do that), donning these $76 shades for 30 minutes a day could be a healthy alternative for a better, brighter day. This isn’t the first product that aims to light up your life. Other gadgets like the Happy Light and full-spectrum lighting lamps also try to replicate natural sunlight, yet it’s unclear if any of these alternatives beat the benefits of actually stepping outside. It may be just as, if not more, effective to take a lunch-break stroll or a sunrise run to get exposure to the real deal.
