What to do if you're depressed

OK, so January is not the brightest time of the year.

Unless you live in Brazil, it's cold, often overcast, and frequently dreary.

Add those to our not getting enough sun during this time of year, and it's a frequent recipe for depression.

Depression in the sense of a lingering feeling of sadness, of the blues, of being in the dumps for no reason you can think of.

Go to your doctor, and -- unless your doctor's different from most -- you're going to walk out with a prescription for some variety of anti-depressant.

Don't do that.

Here are some things you can do to help those feelings. Without the side-effects of prescription anti-depressants.

First, get some sun. I keep harping on this, but it's true: you need to get some UV exposure. And since it's usually a little brisk outside this time of year, that means a tanning bed. Maybe you've never been in one. That's OK. Tell the folks at the tanning place that you're a newbie, and let them tell you what to do.

Next, if you're having trouble sleeping, go to the vitamin store, and buy some Melatonin. Take one half an hour or so before you're going to bed, and let it work for you.

And while you're at the store, buy a bottle of St. Johns Wort herb. Immensely helpful in lifting mild depression, St. Johns Wort has virtually no downside. And it works, and well.

Depression is a nasty feeling. Using these three suggestions can help get it under control. Especially in January.