Seasonal affective disorder (also called SAD) is a type of depression that occurs at the same time every year. If you're like most people with seasonal affective disorder, your symptoms start in the fall and may continue into the winter months, sapping your energy and making you feel moody. Less often, seasonal affective disorder causes depression in the spring or early summer.

Don't brush off that yearly feeling as simply a case of the "winter blues" or a seasonal funk that you have to tough out on your own — you may have seasonal affective disorder. Treatment for seasonal affective disorder includes light therapy (phototherapy), psychotherapy and medications. Addressing the problem can help you keep your mood and motivation steady throughout the year.

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Four easy positive psychology exercises can help you improve your relationship and be happier. Each of these exercises, resulting from psychology studies, offer the benefits of greater happiness, contentment, and life satisfaction.

Autonomy—Express your individuality

The more autonomy and freedom of choice in your life, the happier you are. Look for opportunities in your daily life, at work and home, to express your free choice and independence.

• Organize your space.
  
• Devote some time to activities you enjoy
  

Bad Feelings Fade

Positive psychology researcher Dan Gilbert finds that people systematically over-estimate the duration of their feelings about both positive and negative future events. People adapt to new situations very quickly. Therefore, the negative event you fear, if it occurs, won't trouble you for as long as you now think it will. Conversely, the glow from a positive event won't last forever either.

• The future isn't as bright as you hope nor as dim as you fear.
  
• Adjust your expectations accordingly.
  

Fun and Philanthropy

Psychology studies show that an orientation to the welfare of others is, in the long run, more satisfying than an orientation to one's own pleasure. To experience this for yourself:

• In the next week, undertake one pleasurable activity for yourself and one philanthropic activity that will benefit another person.
  
• Spend about the same amount of time on each activity during the week and at the end of the week jot down your reactions and feelings as a result of each activity.
  

Gratitude Letter

Gratitude is a wonderful feeling of thanks that, when expressed, brings positive emotions to both initiator and recipient. To experience this for yourself, pick someone who has been kind and helpful to you, but has not heard your personal expression of thanks.

Read more at Suite101: Positive Psychology Exercises for Life Happiness: Psychology Studies to Improve Relationships and Bring Happiness http://personaldevelopment.suite101.com/article.cfm/5_positive_psychology_exercises#ixzz0bwzFrOVw