2 tips

Mine would be exercise and mediation, they're the two things that rally help me and the two things that are the hardest to make myself do, especially dragging myself to the gym when it's dark and cold outside. But if I can make myself go I always feel much better afterwards.

Get a dawn simulator and work with the SAD not against it. Know your limits

My lightbox gets my eyes open and ready to get out of bed. I find exercise is essential too, preferably outside but not essential. The happy hormones given off make me feel better.
MEx

A lightbox and advanced planning

Every year, I struggle with SAD, so I've got to knock out that denial and sort of write myself up a "prescription" for SAD.

My organized mind is telling me I need a plan for light therapy treatment, keeping up with meds such as arthritis meds and multivitamins that help me feel better, a list of foods that will help keep me on track and ways that I can encourage myself to exercise.

In the summertime, I'm too optimistic about my capabilities in the wintertime, so I've got to buckle down and come up with a plan now. Doing a little "thinking out loud" on the forums like this helps me. ;)

HI sleepy, what breed of dog/s have you got? My family want to get a dog, we only have a small house so thought a Jack russel might be a good idea. Weve got a huge park just up the road, so it would be ideal and help me get much needed exercise.

I agree with you clive about the dogs homes. I got a puppy this time last year but had to find him a new home in the summer. He went to a dogs home and was rehomed the next day. They have some lovely dogs on there a lot of which are pedigrees.

Terriers are hard work Paulst so it might be something you want to consider. They dig dig dig, chase chase chase and need lots of exercise and stimulation even though they are small.

I would love to own a cat, but I'm allergic and have to be mindful of what pets I get in the apartment.

I think I'm stuck with fish.

I thought about a gerbil, but I'd have to heat the apartment when I'm not there and I don't know how many days I could leave a gerbil while I'm on vacation.

Dogs are great, they always seem to know when you're feeling bad and come over to make you feel better. If they're like mine they do silly things that make you laugh, and you can give them a cuddle, they always cheer me up.

I have two lurchers that get about an hour and a halfs walk everyday - ones a rescue and the other I bought as a pup. I find it gets me out in the fresh air whether I feel like it or not and the dogs dont really care if I am feeling unsociable sometimes