Fighting seasonal depression: These tools can help

The cold, gray and gloomy weather combined with less daylight often brings on the winter doldrums in many people. This malaise has an official name, seasonal affective disorder, or SAD.

It is estimated that up to 5 percent of the U.S. population suffers from these mood shift during the fall and winter months. The exact cause of it isn't known, but a combination of decreased daylight, hearty high calorie food eaten around the November and December holidays effect serotonin and melatonin hormones. These regulate mood and sleep patterns.

So what can you do to fight off this melancholy? First off, make time to spend outside when the sun is shining. This will help boost serotonin levels, the "feel good" hormone that affects moods, learning, memory and other important biological functions in the body.

The Weather & Radar offers the sunrise and sunset times for your location, along with information on how many hours of actual sunshine is in the daily forecasts. The WeatherRadar can be used to track when sunshine, clouds, rain and snow will affect you and any outdoor plans.

Remember to utilize proper skincare when you are outside. Although the UV index— also available on the Weather & Radar app— is lower in winter, it can still damage the skin and eyes. Snow glare can be dangerous to the eyes, especially in higher elevations where the air is thinner, and the sun's UV radiation can be higher. Always wear sunglasses and sunscreen on exposed skin.

Other things you can do to lessen SAD symptoms include exercising regularly, keeping a regular sleep schedule and maintaining a healthy diet that includes fresh fruits, vegetables and leafy greens. Full-spectrum lightbulbs at home or at work can imitate sunlight on those dark and gray winter days.