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As the clouds roll in and the snow and rain starts to fall, the light of the summer has faded away for the moment. For many people, this presents the problem of Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD. This condition affects millions of people around the globe, causing them to have troubles coping with the long stretches of winter and its periods of darkness. But this doesn't mean you are doomed to suffering or in need of transplanting yourself to a warmer and sunnier climate. To help cope with SAD, here are some tips you can use.

Go Outside Everyday

While you might not realize it, even in the midst of clouds and precipitation, there is some sunlight peeking through. You might not be aware of it, but those ultraviolet rays are always present in the environment so long as the sun is up for the day. In order to battle Seasonal Affective Disorder, you need to make sure you are standing outside for at least 15 minutes each and every day, especially first thing in the morning. This will help to reset your internal body clock and it will allow you to feel as though it's not as dark and dreary as it might look. Even on the ickiest of days, head outside to grab some fresh air and some fresh sunlight. At this point of the year after the holidays, the days are getting longer, so things are already looking up.

Think about Bringing Light Indoors

Technology has been able to do wonderful things for humans. We can talk to each other over vast distances with cell phones – and we can help to trick our bodies out of SAD. With natural lights and bulbs around our homes, we can bring the natural light of the sun into our environment. You can find these natural lighting options at any lighting store, but also at art stores as artists like natural lights for painting and for drawing. Just turning these lights on for a regular time period each day will help your body think it's sunnier and brighter out than it really is.

Do I Even Have SAD?

If you're feeling blue, you might want to ask yourself when the symptoms started. Most people will find that they note a correlation between the time of year and the time they start feeling depressed. And if you notice your symptoms getting better when there are sunny days, this is also a sign of SAD. SAD is also really more intense than just typical winter blues. You might have troubles getting out of bed, troubles with your appetite, etc. When your moods are starting to affect your life, you need more help then just a better attitude. If you're not sure about the correlation between your symptoms and SAD, you might want to check with your doctor to get a more thorough diagnosis. Some physicians will also prescribe a mild anti-depressant to help you cope with these symptoms if they are severe.