The gray cloudy day outside could mean feeling cloudy and gray on the inside. It's called Seasonal Affective Disorder or a bad case of the winter blues. Exposure to sunlight produces a chemical called Melatonin and without it your hormones are thrown out of whack.

"They're very sluggish in the morning, they almost always have hypersomnia, a tendency to want to sleep more. Often, they crave carbohydrates, sugars or starches, they gain weight at this time of the year," says Dr. David Schaffer, Clinical Social Worker and Addictions Counselor.

But it affects everyone differently, if you don't have a family to celebrate the holidays with it could mean feeling helpless and lonely.

"For someone that's lost someone, I don't personally know anybody, but I could see why the holidays would make some people want to curl up and be alone," says Jesse Neader, area resident.

"I think people can be lonely during the holiday time, they have a lot of things on their mind, a lot of issues on their minds, and I think that if they focus back on the reason for the season, that could help them out, make them feel better," says Sylvi Caporale, area resident.

Feeling better could only be a few steps outside away.

"Try to get outside for a walk when the whether allows you to do that, read by a window, open the shades, try to get some natural light in. Those are good things for everyone to try to do this time of year," says Dr. Schaffer

This time of year doesn't have to be so gray, but if you find that it is, Doctor Schaffer says to not let the stresses of the holiday season weigh you down, try to get outside and enjoy the season.

Dr. Schaffer also says many people invest in light boxes to sit in front of for about a half an hour a day and just getting that extra light helps them with their depression.