1. Get much more light. A brilliant home cheers people up, and is known to decrease stress. Some people may gain from special light fixtures which emit unnatural daylight, such as a sunshine simulator that can be purchased for around $130. In addition, changing your light bulb to one which simulates natural sunlight is able to get the job done. These can be found at almost all hardware stores for around $7.00.

2. Use a Vitamin D-3 health supplement. Vitamin D is mostly created out of the sun's exposure to your skin. When there isn't a sun, Vitamin D levels plummet. I consider 2000 i.u.'s daily, and discover when I miss one day, I feel lethargic. You can find high quality Vitamin D-3 at Trader Joe's for $9.99 for 180 softgels.

3. Exercise. "Did you understand that one hour of cardio exercise outdoors (even when it is cloudy) has the same therapeutic effects as 2.5 hours of light treatment indoors? This's because it increases serotonin levels, which will tend to get low when you have the winter blues." (Source: Wikihow.com) Dress in layers and so you're not cold, take an umbrella, and choose a walk around the local community. It will brighten up your mood right away.

4. Make your house a cozier place. Surround yourself with bright, vibrant colors. Change a sterile, beige living space into an inviting room by painting a wall, hanging new artwork, and tossing around new decorative pillows. Add fresh flowers for immediate color. I recently used a brightly-patterned, silk scarf as a table topper. A couple of little touches can actually help.

5. Listen to music. Fill your home with any sort of music you love, and concentrate on uplifting, positive tunes. I enjoy hearing sounds of nature making it seem to be as you are experiencing the outdoors. Dig up a few worn out CD's to bring back good memories.

6. Link with friends and family. Humans are beings that are social (well, many anyway) and reconnecting with those you value has been shown to greatly reduce stress. Pick up the mobile phone and call somebody you miss being around. Not to mention, in case you're on bad terms with somebody, think about extending the olive branch, both for the benefit of yours and for theirs.

7. Curb your foods cravings! "When the serotonin levels of yours are low, one of things the body of yours tends In order to do is craving foods high in carbohydrates, particularly high sugar foods like processed food and soda..." (Source: Wikihow.com) To battle these cravings, I have discovered that boosting your protein consumption (like meats, eggs, and beans), removing all high sugar, unhealthy food from the house of yours, and having them replaced with fresh and dried fruits, helps tremendously.

8. Gaze at the stars. Get outside and look up! In the winter season the sky becomes clear, and the exposure of the stars along with other celestial objects increases dramatically. Grab a book about Astronomy and discover more about what's up in the skies.