Here are some tips on how to beat the winter blues from the Mayo Clinic’s Web site

• Let there be light. Make your home sunnier and brighter. Open blinds, add skylights and trim tree branches that block sunlight.

• Get out. Get outdoors on sunny days, even during winter. Take a long walk, eat lunch at a nearby park, or simply sit peacefully on a bench and soak up the sun.

• Exercise regularly. Physical exercise helps relieve stress and anxiety, both of which can increase SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) symptoms. Being more fit can make you feel better about yourself, too, which can lift your mood.

• Take care of yourself. Get enough rest, eat a balanced diet and take time to relax. Don’t turn to alcohol or unprescribed drugs for relief.

• Practice stress management. Learn how to better manage stress. Unmanaged stress can lead to depression, overeating, or other unhealthy thoughts and behaviors.

• Socialize. Stay connected with people you enjoy being around. They can offer support, a shoulder to cry on or a joke to give you a little boost.

• Take a trip. If possible, take winter vacations in sunny, warm locations if you have winter SAD.

Kimberly Castro of US News & World Report offers some advice for after-Christmas shoppers.

Target is offering clearance products and promotions of up to 75 percent off on select clothing, furniture, electronics, holiday décor, and more. Consumers can also save up to 50 to 70 percent on bath and bedding.

The savings and values at Toys “R” Us stores will stretch into the New Year. Some of the items that will be available from Dec. 26, 2008, through Jan. 3, 2009, include 75 percent off a 1.60 Scale X-Trek Pro 15′ Race Track Set; 60 percent off certain table games; 50 percent off some Hannah Montana Dolls; and 20 percent off all iPod cases and headphones.

You can get a jump on your holiday decorating for next year. Home improvement retailer Home Depot will be offering 50 percent off of all holiday décor beginning December 26.

Barnes & Noble, the nation’s largest book retailer, is offering thousands of books at 50 to 90 percent off for its “After Holiday Warehouse Clearance Sale.” Discounts are also available on music, DVDs, toys, video games, journals, calendars, and albums.

Starting this Sunday, Wal-Mart,  the largest retailer in the United States, will introduce additional savings, with new values on select electronic games, $60 savings on select HDTVs, and reduced prices on home and office needs.

KB Toys announced Monday that it will be closing its doors for good and has launched a liquidation sale at all 461 of its KB Toys, KB Toy Outlet, KB Toys Holiday, and KB Toy Works stores. Sales at KB Toys stores will begin at 40 percent off regular prices.

The bath products retailer Bath and Body Works is having an after-holiday sale of up to 50 percent off on products including body lotions, shower gels, hand creams, and fragrances.

Circuit City will see the holiday shopping season extend into January. The electronics retailer will be offering big discounts on televisions, digital cameras, home theater systems, computers, computer accessories, GPS, music, movies, and games, according to company spokesperson Jim Babb.

Kohl’s is having a huge clearance of 60 to 80 percent off on men’s, women’s, and children’s clothing.

Even luxury retailer Neiman Marcus will be offering steep discounts with its After Christmas Sale. Shoppers can find sales on women’s, men’s, and children’s designer apparel, as well as designer shoes, handbags, and jewelry. Neiman Marcus will be offering an extra 40 percent off already-reduced prices.

Kimberly adds, One thing to think about if you decide to hit the stores after Christmas: Many shoppers will be returning merchandise or redeeming gift cards the first few days after Christmas. If you wait until the first full week of January, you ‘ll be able to choose from the merchandise that people have returned. You’ll also avoid those punishing return lines. But you might miss out on the deepest discounts.