Wake up to your circadian clock!
Carefully scheduled exposure to light in the workplace, school, hospital and home can reduce the physiological, cognitive and health consequences associated with disruptions in our circadian clock. Our circadian clock is important as it coordinates much of our physiology and behaviour, including when we sleep, when we eat, and when we perform best. Therapy can be implemented through dynamic lighting systems or by means of individualised exposure to a light box (typically 10-30 minutes a day).
We offer consultations to businesses and government, as well as group workshops and private one-on-one consultations.
Implementing circadian light therapy, you will realize many benefits, such as improved:
Dr. Myriam Juda is a Vancouver-based consultant and research psychologist (Simon Fraser University), specialized in circadian rhythms. With expertise in the sleep-wake cycle, shift-work, and light and health, she has worked with some of the world's largest companies, including Volkswagen, Arcelor-Mittal, Siemens and Osram.
In a collaboration between BC Hydro, Fraser Health, Provincial Health Services Authority, the University of British Columbia and Simon Fraser University, she is currently running one of the first clinical studies to explore the effects of cycled lighting - changing in intensity and colour temperature over 24 hours - on patients’ rest/activity cycle, sleep and psychological well-being.
Dr. Myriam Juda is a Vancouver-based consultant and research psychologist (Simon Fraser University), specialized in circadian rhythms. With expertise in the sleep-wake cycle, shift-work, and light and health, she has worked with some of the world's largest companies, including Volkswagen, Arcelor-Mittal, Siemens and Osram.
In a collaboration between BC Hydro, Fraser Health, Provincial Health Services Authority, the University of British Columbia and Simon Fraser University, she is currently running one of the first clinical studies to explore the effects of cycled lighting - changing in intensity and colour temperature over 24 hours - on patients’ rest/activity cycle, sleep and psychological well-being.
From 2005 to 2010, Till Roenneberg coordinated "EUCLOCK", a large European wide research network (16 Million budget) and the Daimler-Benz- Foundation network "ClockWORK" and from 2010 to 2012 he was the member at large of the Society for Research of Biological Rhythms. He is also the author of the popular science book titled Internal Time: Chronotype, Social Jetlag, and Why You’re So Tired.
For many years I’ve felt very tired. I was running to doctors and homoeopaths, made blood tests and a variety of other medical tests. As I continued feeling absolutely “whacked” and grouchy in the morning, I was even afraid I had a rare illness that nobody understood.
The situation was particularly bad during the dark and cold months. And the switch to summertime hours made me feel I was always running behind, missing that hour for the whole summer.
In shops and in magazines, I saw the circadian lights but was not really interested in investing the time to investigate as I thought that these were just money making gadgets on the market. However, when Dr. Myriam Juda offered trials for Circadian Light Therapy, I jumped at the opportunity. I was positively surprised by not only the benefits I got from this program, but also the complexity of the topic itself.
After a few weeks, I felt like I was in the tale “Sleeping Beauty”, when she woke up after the prince kissed her. I got “kissed” by the light and life changed. Another important benefit of circadian light therapy came when I spent a holiday in a country with a different time zone, followed on my return home by the switch into summertime hours. Dr. Myriam Juda advised me how to manage this period, and it was the first time in my life that the switch to summertime passed without the usual negative effects, like feeling dizzy and sleepy.
I recommend this therapy to anyone who feels tired “without any reason”. But would advise you as well to be careful with self-treatment. My program was adapted several times, and without coaching I would have made decisions for the use of the light that would have worsened the situation.
So, if you want to improve your quality of life, go ahead with the support of an expert like Dr. Myriam Juda.
Working with Dr. Myriam Juda was a joy. She was sensitive and circumspect in assessing my seasonal sleep problems and symptoms – sleepiness, irritability, and loss of concentration. Her explanations were clear and detailed. The treatments were simple. I soon felt more alert and calm. For me the objective proof the treatment was working was when spring time change came, I was still waking before my alarm.
Circadian Light Therapy has helped me incredibly! It used to take me three alarm clocks for 45 minutes to wake up every morning, grumpy. Now, I wake up before the alarm rings and feel so much more awake and alert. The light is very pleasant and energizing. The in-depth and detailed expertise of Dr. Myriam Juda impressed me. My questions were always answered promptly and competently via Skype, phone, or email.
With the problems I had prior to Circadian Light Therapy, I would trust Dr. Myriam Juda anytime!
Ciradian light therapy was effective at establishing long term sleep hygiene. I wake up fresher and more productive each day with a significant reduction in daytime sleepiness.