Feeling restless this winter? From tropical escapes to trivia nights, here are the best ways to beat the winter blues in Iowa this season.
After the holidays, many Iowans start to feel restless. The excitement that propelled many of us through the beginning of winter has faded, leaving us to face seemingly endless, dreary weeks until spring finally arrives. Whether you call it cabin fever or the winter blues, it hits almost all of us in some way eventually. However, even when the wind chill is biting and the days are dark, there are still ways to find joy in the season. If you’re not sure where to begin, take a look at this list of ways to combat cabin fever during an Iowa winter.
A note on SAD: It’s normal to have days when you feel down, especially in the thick of winter. That said, if you find yourself feeling low for days at a time and losing interest in the activities you normally enjoy, it might be time to see your healthcare provider. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is more than just a passing mood; it is a type of depression that impacts thousands of people in the U.S. each year. If you are struggling this winter, please know you are not alone, and there are professionals who can help you feel like yourself again.
1. Find your winter oasis
Iowa is filled with indoor escapes to visit during the cold months. From cozy coffee shops to quirky antique stores, find your haven and become a regular if you can. A change of scenery is important, especially in winter when it’s easy to get stuck at home for most of the time.
If you really want a tropical escape, consider visiting one of Iowa’s botanical gardens.
Des Moines Botanical Garden: This garden is not only a great winter refuge, but it also hosts tons of fun events throughout the season, like Botanical Blues every Sunday and Dome After Dark on Fridays.
Reiman Gardens (Ames): In the winter, head to the Christina Reiman Butterfly Wing. There, you can take a break from the snow and ice and wander through an 80-degree tropical paradise that is home to hundreds of butterflies.
2. Team up for trivia
Winter is prime time for trivia nights and other team challenges at local bars, breweries, and coffee houses. Get a team of friends together for some mental stimulation and a bit of healthy competition.
Exile Brewing: This Des Moines brewery hosts frequent winter events, including weekly trivia and a live music series.
Big Grove Brewery: This brewery has several locations around the state, each with its own activities and events. The Iowa City location, for example, is hosting weekly “Tune Out” music trivia. All you music buffs, this one is for you.
3. Refresh your home
One easy way to combat winter blues is to change up your living space. After all, you are probably spending the majority of your time here. Take a weekend to rearrange your furniture for a fresh feeling or tackle a small DIY project you’ve been putting off. If a full room makeover feels like too much right now, it’s okay to start small. Even a 5-minute tidy session or swapping out a few lightbulbs for a warmer glow can make a world of difference for your mood.
4. Learn something new
Whether it’s baking, pottery, or yoga, starting a new hobby can be a great way to get your mind off winter for a bit. For an added social boost, find a friend who is also interested in learning a new skill or take a group class at your local community center.
You can also use this opportunity to work toward a goal for the summer. For instance, start learning a new language for that trip in June or get your watercolor basics down so you can plan a painting weekend at a state park this spring.
Des Moines Art Center: This creative community hub offers a ton of classes and workshops all year long, ranging from drawing and painting to ceramics and metalworking.
Kirkwood Community College: With locations across eastern Iowa, this college is a great source for continuing education and personal enrichment courses. Depending on the location, you can expect a wide variety of options, from country line dancing classes to mocktail mixology workshops.
5. Try an indoor sport
You’ve probably heard it a dozen times, but exercise really is good for your mood. There are plenty of ways to exercise indoors if you don’t want to brave the cold. Besides joining a gym or doing some home workouts, there are plenty of indoor sports options across the state to get your heart rate up.
Pickleball: Move over baseball, pickleball might be the new American pastime. Want to join the fun? Places like Dinks in Des Moines or Pickle Palace in Cedar Rapids offer classes, clinics, leagues, and tournaments to keep you busy all winter long.
Curling: If you are looking for something a little more wintry, look no further than joining a curling club. Both Cedar Rapids and Des Moines have their own official curling clubs with “Learn to Curl” events.
6. Do some daydreaming
Most can agree that it’s nice to have things to look forward to. That’s not to say you should always be living for tomorrow, but sometimes one of the best ways to beat the winter blues is to spend a little time dreaming about the warmer weather ahead.
For example, winter is the perfect season to plan that epic family camping trip. Popular spots like Ledges State Park fill up quickly, so booking your campsite in the cold months when people aren’t thinking about it yet is a good idea that will get you in front of the crowd.
Speaking of getting a head start, winter is also a great time to get your green thumb on. While it’s too cold to do yard work, it’s an ideal window to start planning your planting. So, order those seed catalogs, sketch out your garden layout, or start some seeds indoors. Not only will you be steps ahead come spring, but you’ll give your mind a much-needed break from the current cold.
7. Embrace the cold
As the old saying goes, “If you can’t beat ’em, join ’em.” Sometimes the best cure for winter blues is to get outside and try to enjoy winter, even if it’s just for a little while. Luckily, Iowa is full of places to do just this.
Here are a few ideas to get you started:
- Start small and take a quick walk around the block.
- Hike to a frozen waterfall.
- Go sledding or snow tubing at Seven Oaks.
- Snowboard or ski at Sundown Mountain Resort.
- Snowshoe through a state park.
Iowa winters are long, and it’s easy to feel a little stuck, like you’re just waiting for your world to turn bright and green again. Whether it be by strapping on some skis, picking up a paddle, or taking a trip to a butterfly garden, there are still plenty of ways to make the most of the season. Remember, spring will be here before you know it, but in the meantime, there’s plenty of joy to be found right here in the Iowa cold.
