How to Build a Therapeutic Light Box

Many people use therapeutic light boxes to treat symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder. During winter months when there is less daylight, people's circadian cycles can get disrupted, resulting in increased fatigue and changes in sleeping habits, changes in appetite and increased depression. Doctors may prescribe anti-depression medications and anti-anxiety medications to treat these symptoms. However, therapeutic light boxes have also proved effective. Because light boxes can be quite expensive, some people decide to make their own.

Things You'll Need

• 10 fluorescent light bulbs
• 10 bulb holders
• Plywood box
• Cable
• Epoxy
• Drill
• Aluminum foil
• Plug

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Instructions

• 1

  Place the plywood box so the bottom faces up. Drill holes into the bottom to cradle the bulb holders. Bulb holders come in various sizes, so drill the holes to match the size of the holders you intend to use. Drill the holes in a staggered formation; for example, the first line would have three holes and the line below it would have four, so the holes don't line up directly with those in an adjacent row.

• 2

  Cover the holes with aluminum foil. Turn the plywood box bottom down and completely line its interior with aluminum foil. Cut holes in the aluminum foil over the cut holes and secure the foil by pressing it into the holes, using your thumb, index finger and middle finger to press the foil into the inner lining of the hole.

• 3

  Secure the aluminum foil with epoxy as well. Squeeze a line of epoxy into the inner lining of the holders. The epoxy should dry within minutes, and the dried epoxy will help hold the foil securely in place around the holes. You do not need to secure the entire sheet of aluminum foil to the plywood box with epoxy.

• 4

  Turn the box bottom-up again. Place the light bulbs into the light bulb holders and insert the holders into the holes, with the bulbs pointing down. Secure the bulb holders with epoxy if necessary.

• 5

  Connect the light bulbs in pairs with the cable. For example, in the first line connect the first bulb holder with the second holder, and the third bulb holder with the fourth holder. Do the same with the second line, except that you'll connect the last bulb holder in that line with the last holder on the third line, and the first bulb holder on the third line to the first holder on the fourth line. After that, on the fourth line you will have an even number of bulb holders remaining, so use cables to connect the second holder to the third, and the fourth holder to the fifth. After you have connected each light bulb holder to another, secure the connection with the cable at the end with the plug.