Many of us lose a bit of the pep in our step when the weather gets colder and the days get shorter. If you’re experiencing extreme fatigue, concentration problems and weight gain, you may be among the 3 percent of Americans who suffer from seasonal affective disorder (SAD), also known as winter depression.   

Online medical website WebMD offered these tips to help keep the winter blues at bay:  

Talk to a doctor. If your depression worsens, consult your doctor to tailor a treatment plan to your needs.

Turn up the lights. Light therapy has been shown to help some SAD sufferers. Fighting the doldrums could be as simple as purchasing a light box and sitting in front of it for a few minutes every morning.  

Keep it moving and socialize. Reach out to those close to you often, regardless how you feel. Also, stay active; physical activity can help improve your mood.

Keep a journal. Write down your thoughts and monitor your moods and reactions to situations throughout the day. This can help you evaluate negative thoughts and replace them with more positive ones.  

Read RH’s “Take Off the Mask” to learn more about depression in the African-American community.