How can something so small make such a difference? Here's how.
Why a small habit can make a big difference
Light boxes are small, don't use much power, and can have a real effect on your mood and mindset. Anxiety has a way of taking a grip on our thoughts, feelings and emotions, and one of the first steps to regaining control is learning to think differently — which starts with behaving differently. Anxiety doesn't go away just because we want it to. It goes away because we make changes to what we do, how we do it and why we do it. You're the most important person in this, not your parents, partner or friends — so let's take a small but meaningful step.
How to use it
Our first and last thought of the day sets the tone, and it's easy to fall into the habit of waking up straight into a heavy feeling that seems to take charge of the whole day. This is where a light box comes in.
They're widely available and inexpensive. Set it up so it's the last thing you see before sleep and the first thing you see when you open your eyes, with three or four powerful words as your statement. Mine reads: TODAY I FIGHT BACK.
The first thing I see each morning is that warm, gentle light, with words that are strong and realistic. The moment I open my eyes and read it, it raises a slight smile — it makes me feel powerful, strong and in control of what I'm about to do. It sets my mindset exactly where I want it to be and helps me channel some hope and determination for the day ahead.
A small, low-cost habit worth trying
This simple, low-cost method is a constant reminder that you have the strength to keep fighting. Starting and finishing the day with a strong, positive statement leads to a thought, and that thought leads to a feeling — and we're led by our feelings more than we realise. So it's worth asking: for the sake of a small outlay, what have you really got to lose? Happiness happens by doing something different — so why not make a start with a small but powerful light box of your own.
