When October fades into the rearview mirror, all Midwesterners seem to get the same gut-wrenching feeling in their stomachs knowing that colder weather is quickly approaching. With the unpredictable weather in our region, the temperature could plummet 40 degrees from one day to the next at any given time.

People who have lived in Iowa their whole lives know the drill when it comes to winter; break out the snow boots, buy an ice scraper, and pray you don’t get caught in a blizzard. Others who migrate to our great state get rudely awakened pretty fast. They wake up not expecting the roads to be covered in three feet of snow and ice.

The key to persevering through the difficult months of winter is to find small things that make the season a little more bearable. One tip is to find ways to keep warm throughout the day. Cozy fleece blankets and heated mattress pads work great for being snuggled up under the covers. But, if getting out of bed seems absolutely necessary, try investing in some fuzzy socks or fleece lined pants. In addition to that, sitting by a fireplace works great for defrosting as well; just make sure not to get too close.

Another perk to being closed up inside for an extended period of time is trying new recipes. Comfort food can be a great aid in curing the winter blues. I suggest warm cinnamon rolls and a mug of hot chocolate. Once the snacks are ready, crack open a good book, or even watch a marathon of cheesy Hallmark Christmas movies.

Studies show that winter can actually cause some people to be sadder than normal. A helpful solution is to turn on some upbeat music and dance around the room to relieve any seasonal stress.

However, my personal favorite winter activity is a nice, long, therapeutic day of shopping. When the weather outside is below freezing, it’s hazardous to be out and about. So, I like to head to the mall and spend the day treating myself. The best part is that there are no windows in malls. This makes it perfect for denying  the frightful conditions outside.

The most important thing to remember this winter is to keep a positive mindset. Winter will not last forever, even if it seems like we’ll never see the spring again. Stay strong and pray for the Midwest. Nothing bad happened; it’s just about to be winter here.