Building snowmen, going skiing, sipping hot cocoa by a roaring fireplace-- Well, for a lot of people, this time of year isn't fun at all   it's a big downer. Experts say that approximately 20% of North Americans suffer from depression during the winter months. And once it strikes, your body has a hard time maintaining stable levels of the feel-good chemical serotonin, causing you to feel even worse--This chemical imbalance can be helped with medication, but drugs aren't the only option. You can also lift your mood naturally by making a few lifestyle adjustments. Here they are, courtesy of Men's Fitness magazine.

• Head south. The amount of sunlight you get each day has a major impact on your ability to fight depression. For example, 10% of sun-starved Alaska residents suffer winter depression, but only 1% of Floridians do--You need at least 30 minutes of direct sunlight every day before noon, when the rays are the strongest. If you can't get this, a one-week trip to a sunny place will lift your mood for weeks after you return home.
• Also, hit the gym. Experts say you need to work out when battling depression. Exercise increases serotonin production, which is why runners sometimes feel a "high" after a tough race--As little as 8 minutes of strenuous exercise works wonders.
• And one last way to fight depression: Keep busy and always try new things. Different projects give you opportunities to make new connections with people, and to find small satisfactions in a variety of things. So take a history class, join a bowling team or just volunteer to baby-sit your neighbor's kid. Keeping busy will help you get a handle on your depression, so you can start the New Year off on the right foot.

If you'd like to go further, check out the book "Breaking the Patterns of Depression."