Chris’s Story: How Red Light Therapy Has Changed My Life
The morning light would be shining outside, but it would not light up my world. The thousand-pound weight would weigh heavy on my chest. I eventually would have to wrestle it off just to get my feet to the floor. When I would make it out of bed it was like wading neck deep through wet cement searching in the darkness for a light switch that I could seldom find. These bouts of depression would last months at a time with only a few short windows of relief from a hopeless state of being, where all I could long for is the eventual nerve to take the emergency exit, often settling for anything that could relieve the pain even if momentarily. That was the life I had grown so used to for decades. An existence mostly weighted down by depression without any expectation of it getting better. I had tried medications several times and every time would be the same, contrary to what each doctor assured me of. Claiming “This generation of medications are far different than the ones you were on.” Not the case, they would all lead to the same outcomes: massive weight gain, lethargy, insomnia, ED, disassociation, increased suicidal ideation, all while feeling like a passenger in my own life. The medications were often worse to me than the problem, which I just chose to accept as being the way it will be, until I finally cease to be. That is until the winter of 2019 when my wife and I were introduced to red-light therapy. Hope pierced the darkness through a pinhole of light in the form of red-light therapy. Within about three months of regular treatment, I noticed the depths of depression were not as deep or long. The major spells of depression would be shortened to weeks or days as opposed to seasons. The heaviness began to lighten, and the wet cement became shallower. I could wake up in the morning and face the day. Maybe not cheery enough to sing with the birds in the morning, but good enough to begin to take on the days. Since then, I have come so far. My wife, Jen and I have built a wellness center, inspired by the struggles we have overcome. Today I have purpose and a will to live, unlike I did in the past. If my story sounds like you, or someone you love, my heart goes out to you. I know how it feels. I am here to tell you; you are not alone in this struggle. As difficult as it may be to believe, there is hope.
Written By: Chris Sharp
Co-Founder of Enlighten Red Light Therapy Center