We’re now a few weeks removed from the holidays, so instead of Christmas cheer and fun “snowy” vibes, the frigid temperatures tend to make the days a little dreary. Winter can be brutal, seriously. There are times when even just a walk across the parking lot to get into the office resembles that of a dangerous winter expedition. So, this week, we’re going to highlight just a few of the best ways to beat the cold for the remaining months of winter, with the help of a few local stops that can make it happen.
Curl Up With A Good Book
Curling up by the fire with a page-turner is at least a top 10 classic winter activity. What better way to warm up than to send your mind into an alternate universe? Before you know it, you’re so caught up in the story that you forget about the blistering work of Jack Frost. We know just the place for a new novel. Check out The Story Collective downtown and peruse a store full of timeless and inspiring tales. Consider a book about someplace warmer, perhaps.

Warm Your Tastebuds, Too
You know what goes perfectly with a good book? A hot drink. Nothing beats a big mug of coffee or hot chocolate as you find solace indoors, away from the freezing conditions. If you’re looking for a cozy place to enjoy your book and a drink that soothes the soul, visit Chocolat downtown for just the thing that’ll keep both your spirits and your temperature high.

Nothing Like a Good Sweat
Talk about warm…how about working up a good sweat indoors? By keeping your body moving, you generate heat from the inside out, no icy wind required. Whether it’s a spin class, yoga or a CrossFit session at BFIT, indoor workouts are a perfect way to stay active and chase away the winter blues.

Maybe Just Leave…Like Completely
It’s no wonder so many plan their vacations around escaping the coldest time of the year in the Midwest. If you’re really feeling the seasonal sadness and it’s in the cards, a tropical beach vacation always seems to do the trick…it’s the coming-back part that stings more than the sunburn.

Winter may be long, but it doesn’t have to feel endless. With a cozy book, a steaming cup of coffee, a good sweat, and a little mental escape to a sunny beach, you can survive, and even enjoy, the coldest months of the year.