Philips HF3330

For many years I have experienced feelings of low mood during the winter months. This has been characterised by feelings of lethargy, trouble getting out of bed and a general apathy that leaves me feeling like doing very little activity during the darker months of the year. I have self-medicated St. Johns Wort for many years now which has eased these symptoms, but not fully.

I have researched and considered buying a lamp like a Philips GoLite Blu on a number of occasions but have been reluctant to pay the initial outlay without any guarantee of success. I was therefore pleased when I was invited to take part in a bzzagent campaign to try this product and share my opinions of it with others.

(Bzzagent is a word of mouth advertising company that I am a member of and from whom I get occasional invites to try out products and share honest opinions about them with others.

When the Philips GoLite Blu arrived I was very excited. The packaging was excellent and very informative and a nice size box. On unpacking and viewing the product for the first time I was very impressed by its small size. I was also impressed with the high quality black case/cover it comes with which enables me to store the product discreetly and if needed provide excellent protection while travelling. The magnetic stand was very nifty and quite a surprise as it added to the products overall compact size.

The instructions were incredibly wordy and took quite a while to read and digest for an impatient customer! I think the product would have benefited from a quick start postcard sized document or better still a credit card size guide you could store with the product or in your wallet for travelling purposes.

I also heard via WOM (face book) that Philips provide a survey on their site on what type of user you are and how to get the best from the product, with a guide on when to use. I think this information should also be included in the product instructions.

I opted to use the light on ¾ setting for 15 minutes each morning on rising. The time of when I rise does alter as I am a shift worker. I found within 3 days I felt very energised and had a ‘can do’ attitude. I commented to my husband that I felt like the clocks had already gone forward!!

I continued to use the device and within a week or two I found myself forgetting to take my hat and gloves out with me as I hink my mind thought it was spring!!! I still got cold mind you. I felt that the Philips GoLite Blu was having a very positive effect on my overall mood and was delighted at the early results.

One specific time where I used the Philips GoLite Blu in a different way was when I was doing night shift. I found by using the Philips GoLite Blu late in the day prior to my night shift I was able to stay awake, alert and refreshed for longer. This was a very positive use of the light in my opinion.

I have had a negative experience of the Philips GoLite Blu too. I have for a number of years had problems with palpitations. I have been assessed medically for this and I do not have a heart condition but have stress/caffeine related ectopic beats. I also have been known to get palpitations in relation to my monthly cycle. I have had this well controlled for many years and only ever really get palpitations when I have caffeine (which I have excluded from my diet). Within days of beginning to use the Philips GoLite Blu I found I was getting frequent palpitations. I have continued to get these palpitation very regularly several times a day throughout using the Philips GoLite Blu. It is my subjective opinion that they have been triggered by the Philips GoLite Blu. It is for this reason that I have unfortunately had to temporarily stop using the Philips GoLite Blu. I have now not used it for one week. I have found my palpitations have lessoned but are still more frequent than prior to using the Philips GoLite Blu. I do feel however that the effects of the light remain with me as I have not had a return of the ‘low mood’ and apathy mentioned earlier. I am continuing to monitor this and may consider starting to use the Philips GoLite Blu again in the future.

Overall I have been very pleased with the Philips GoLite Blu and have recommended the product to others.