Temperatures are beginning to drop and the COVID-19 pandemic is showing no signs of slowing, meaning more time spent inside is likely, which could put some at a higher health risk.

About 5% of Americans suffer from seasonal affective disorder, a depression that is triggered during the late fall and winter months. It is caused due to the smaller amount of sunlight affecting the chemicals that regulate moods.

"We're really seeing an extraordinary year of stressors -- so it's the pandemic, but it's also the social unrest that's been happening, it's all the results from climate change, it's the upcoming presidential election," says American Psychological Association Senior Director Dr. Vaile Wright.

But there is a way to cope. Wright says it starts with having a plan.

"Things that people can do is to create new traditions like trying to maximize as much sunlight as you can get," says Wright. "Making sure you are doing the things for self-care like getting enough sleep, eating healthy, staying active."

Wright says it is also important to stay connected to friends and family, even if that can only be virtually.