According to the National Institute of Mental Heath, millions of Americans experience SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder). It is especially prevalent among women.

Seasonal Affective Disorder is not the same thing as the “holiday blues,” relating to grief or stress around wintertime holidays; it is a type of depression related to reduced sunlight in the daytime, meaning those with SAD may experience increased irritability, pessimism, sadness, and anxiety in winter months.

Light therapy lamps been shown to be an effective way to improve SAD, but there are other small projects and changes you can make at home to improve your mood, according to Yeharar Stephen, executive clinician and founder at Stephen Counseling Services.

What Is SAD?

Stephen calls SAD a form of depression characterized by recurrent seasonal patterns.

“As daylight decreases, the body’s serotonin, a neurotransmitter that affects mood, also decreases,” she explains. “Additionally, melatonin, the hormone for sleep, naturally increases with darker, colder days.”

Interior design changes alone won’t offer a cure, and there are also behavioral changes and habits you can build to improve symptoms, but Stephen says understanding the effects of SAD informs the decision to balance serotonin and melatonin as much as possible, even through the home environment.

“Home is where we spend a good deal of time, especially during the colder months, so naturally, the mood and tone of the home can heavily influence our own attitude and motivation throughout the week,” she offers.

Below, we’ve listed five small projects you can do to SAD-proof your home and give it a cheerful boost in winter.