A cold spell has officially hit the States, leaving even sunny California frostbitten. Much like the rest of the country, we’re staying indoors and doing our best to keep warm and toasty with healing teas, piping-hot soup and the coziest of blankets. The problem is that while we manage to avoid the wind chill, we’re succumbing to the somber, depressing mood that follows endless days of being cooped up. Without the sun’s rays to recharge our batteries and to lift our spirits, seasonal affective disorder (SAD) looms over our heads. A very real and diagnosable condition, SAD, as it’s so appropriately named, is something to watch out for. Many of us fall under its spell without realizing that our melancholy mood is not a post-holiday let down, but a change in brain chemistry.

SAD is a biochemical imbalance in the brain that develops when the winter months set in and our exposure to daylight and bright sun wanes. The exact cause is not conclusive, but it is believed that with decreased exposure to sunlight, the internal biological clock that regulates mood, sleep, and hormones is shifted. The change from day to night prompts the release of the sleep-related hormone called melatonin. Melatonin tells your brain that it’s time for sleep, controlling your natural circadian rhythm. When the days are shorter and darker, more melatonin is produced, which is believed to disrupt the normal circadian rhythm, leading to SAD. Typical symptoms of SAD include hopelessness; anxiety; irritability; loss of interest; fatigue; weight gain; difficulty concentrating, sleeping or making decisions; and a decrease in energy.

While conventional treatment leans toward the use of antidepressant drugs, there are other ways to address this condition. In an effort to help you bust through those winter blues, we’ve compiled a list of the best ways to boost your mood holistically. Decide what’s right for you, then get ready to turn your SAD into glad…