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Have you gone out today? Be it in the office or at home, chances are you’ve spent most of your time indoors. In fact, According to the EPA, we spend 90% of our time inside.
Now, there’s a new list of products available to combat our growing homebody tendencies. Why go outside when you can buy something that mimics the outdoor environment indoors? This latest product is a $249 device that connects to your laptop and bathes you in infrared all day long.
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SunLED, a company that manufactures infrared light devices, is known as Sunbooster SLS2000unveiled its product at CES earlier this year. Designed for desk-based workers and people living in places with long winters, this device easily mimics the sun’s rays (except the actual light).
The SunBooster emits this near-infrared (NIR) light through three LEDs. It has a motion sensor to calibrate the correct distance before administering the light, as near-infrared light can be harmful if it’s too close. After a session, which can last two to four hours, the device will turn off, showing weekly progress and NIR light intake.
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We all know the benefits of being in the sun. The benefits of NIR light are similar. According to SunLED, it can improve mood and reduce drowsiness. It may help reduce inflammation and boost energy. a study Found to have beneficial metabolic and antioxidant effects. Studies found that it can help in the recovery process of atherothrombotic stroke, brain injury and neurodegeneration. Another study found That NIR light can have beneficial effects on humans in winter. And another study found that ambient exposure to NIR has a positive effect on parasympathetic activity by increasing high-frequency heart rate variability.
As a desk-based worker who spends most of her day inside, I tested the SunBooster, whose product and function seemed simple enough. I tried it in the dead of cold, dark winter. Can it improve my energy and my mood throughout the workday? I also talked to a doctor about the science behind infrared light — and whether people really need this kind of device.
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Out of the box, the SunBooster is easy to install. All it requires is a quick USB-C connection to your laptop or monitor. After setup, it took approximately three hours to complete 100% NIR intake. But if you’re sitting at your computer all day, that time won’t take very long.
So, did light improve my mood? I tested the SunBooster during the dark days of winter in the Northeast, and I really can’t tell. i did feel Like I was doing something good for my mood by connecting this thing to my laptop and meeting my daily intake goals. But maybe that’s the whole point.
Family physician Dr. Mike Sevilla noted some potential dangers of sunbooster abuse in an interview with ZDNET. Since the device sits at eye level, excessive exposure can cause negative effects such as cataracts. Of course, the device turns off after emitting a sufficient amount of NIR, so you probably won’t have adverse effects from NIR overexposure. He also said that light therapy products and their legality can feel like the “Wild West” due to the lack of independent research and regulation.
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Will he buy this device? “For the price, I probably wouldn’t use this product. There are other ways to achieve what you want,” Sevilla said.
There are alternatives to SunBooster that cost no more than $200 and provide equally beneficial results, Sevilla said. Consider getting better sleep, improving your diet, and getting regular exercise. You don’t need any equipment for them.
ZDNET’s shopping advice
The SunBooster worked as advertised and was very easy to install and use. There were no problems using the product, but the issue is whether you need it or not $249 device To mimic the sun and improve focus or improve mood. I can’t say whether I got any objective benefits from SunBooster, but it made me feel like I was doing something beneficial for my health. For those who live in cold, dark climates, this may be another tool that helps you — mentally, physically, or both — during mild winters, especially if your work keeps you indoors most of the day.
If you’ve exhausted all your other health options, this is something to consider. But be aware that these tools are not regulated and the focus and mood options cost very little – they may take longer than it takes to light up your laptop.
