As the sunlight starts to peek out from behind the clouds, many people start to feel a little bit of relief from crushing depressed emotions. If you find the winter blues affect you deeper than what feels normal, you may suffer from seasonal affective disorder, which is depression caused by a lack of natural light. In many areas, the cloud cover and constant rain severely limit exposure to mood lifting light.

Sunlight doesn’t just boost moods with its beauty, it provides a surge of vitamin D that naturally alleviates depression. Low vitamin D levels can be mitigated with the right combination of food and supplements, but for many, there’s no true replacement for the real deal.

Once the sunlight comes peeking out of the clouds, you can rush out and soak in the rays to turn your depression into a distant memory. Plan plenty of outdoor retreats to keep your mind and body in good shape throughout the sunny season. Even after sunlight starts to provide relief, it’s wise to talk to a doctor about medication and light based therapies. As soon as the rainy season threatens to return, work with your doctor to enact a treatment plan that will help you get through the winter.