There's something about winter that makes you slow down. The days are short, the mornings are frosty, with seemingly endless, dark evenings. It's a season when energy levels dip, skin feels drier, and moods can take a hit. But here's the upside: these colder, quieter months create the perfect conditions to introduce one powerful wellness tool into your daily routine: red light therapy at home.
In New Zealand, winter means far fewer daylight hours. In some regions, the sun rises late and disappears well before dinner, leaving you with minimal natural light exposure. That lack of sunlight affects more than just your mood. It impacts your circadian rhythm, hormone balance, and even your skin health. Vitamin D levels decline, serotonin production drops, and for many, this leads to symptoms of the winter blues or Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).
Red light therapy at home can help offset depressive effects. At wavelengths between 630 and 850 nanometres, red and near-infrared light penetrates deep into your skin and tissues, stimulating mitochondrial function, improving cellular energy production, and encouraging regeneration. Simply put, it helps your body perform better, even when the sun isn't doing you any favours.
Mood changes in winter aren't just "in your head." Shorter days and reduced sun exposure alter brain chemistry, which can leave you feeling low or anxious. Research suggests that red light therapy, particularly near-infrared wavelengths, supports brain function and emotional regulation.
Through photobiomodulation (the scientific name for red light therapy), your brain cells produce more adenosine triphosphate (ATP) , inflammation decreases, and blood flow improves. A 2024 review found that red and near-infrared light can promote neuroplasticity, helping your brain adapt and cope better. If you already use a light box for SAD, adding red light therapy provides an extra layer of support for your nervous system.
Cold air, indoor heating, and wind chill don't do your skin any favours. It's common to deal with dryness, redness, or irritation in winter, but red light therapy can help you tackle these concerns.
Studies have shown that red light therapy stimulates collagen production, reduces inflammation, and accelerates skin healing. For example, research suggests that participants who underwent red light therapy twice a week for 30 sessions experienced noticeable improvements in skin tone, texture, and firmness. In winter, when your skin needs the most support, these benefits are invaluable.
It's no coincidence that winter is also cold and flu season. Your immune system works overtime when the weather turns, but factors like low vitamin D, disrupted sleep, and stress can leave you vulnerable.
Red light therapy at home shows promising effects on boosting immune response, helping your body fight off infections more effectively. By improving white blood cell activity and reducing systemic inflammation, it can help you stay well during the season when bugs circulate most.
One of the best things about red light therapy is how easy it is to incorporate into daily life. Just 10–20 minutes per day is enough to see results, and you can do it all from the comfort of home without the need to brave the cold for a spa or clinic appointment.
Rojo Light Therapy NZ provides compact, medical-grade devices designed for home use. Whether you want a full-body panel or a smaller device for your face or joints, building the habit is simple, and winter gives you the perfect window to get started.
Winter naturally encourages slowing down, re-evaluating your habits, and focusing on healing, physically and mentally. Red light therapy fits beautifully into this season of reflection. It’s non-invasive, safe, and science-backed, making it an easy way to prioritise your health during the colder months.
Instead of merely enduring the winter, embrace it as an opportunity to invest in your well-being. Red light therapy at home offers proven benefits for mood, skin, immunity, and overall energy—all from the comfort of your own home.
Ready to take charge of your winter wellness? Explore Rojo Light Therapy NZ's range of at-home red light devices and find the perfect fit for your seasonal routine.
