Feeling down during the winter months is common. Cold weather may keep people inside and, oftentimes, alone. Cabin Fever sets in, or sometimes even the more serious Seasonal Affect Disorder (SAD), a form of depression that usually runs from late fall to spring.
Even though this year’s winter temperatures often have been in the 50s, 60s and even 70s, Enjoy Oxford is putting on a series of “Conquer Cabin Fever” programs over the next four days to encourage people to get up and shake off the winter blues.
SAD can include low energy, too much sleeping, overeating, weight gain and isolation, according to the National Institute of Mental Health.
Regardless of having a disorder or not, mental health experts say getting outside and engaging in activities that stir the blood and get your muscles moving will help shake off winter’s gloom, no matter what the temperature is.
Enjoy Oxford agrees and the activities planned for Jan. 17 through Jan. 20, are designed to do just that.
“We want to promote visitors to our town as January is a slower period in our town,” said Kim Daggy, executive director of Enjoy Oxford. “We want to draw excitement to the town and get people out and about because we all get a little crazy this time of year.” And this weekend, with temperatures predicted to dip into the teens and 20s, it will even feel like winter.
The schedule of the festivities are as follows:
Friday, Jan. 17
There will be a “Ninja Obstacle Course” from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the Uptown Parks. This event will be free and gives kids an opportunity to test out their American Ninja Warrior skills for the chance to win prizes.
Saturday, Jan. 18
Come out to the TRI Community Center, 6025 Fairfield Road, to enjoy a free cup of hot chocolate while learning from a naturalist from Hueston Woods. The event goes from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and will be held inside the TRI Center’s gym. There will also be snowshoes for people to try on and practice walking in.
For even more chocolate, the Oxford Community Arts Center, 10 S. College Ave., will be hosting the Chocolate Meltdown from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Chocolate lovers should enjoy this event which includes samples, raffles, a bake-off, children’s activities, an art exhibit and a bar featuring chocolate liquors, wines, ports and beers. Tickets for the bar will be sold separately.
Tickets for this event can be purchased ahead of time for $7 online, at the OCAC or at the Miami University Art Museum, on Patterson Avenue, or at the event for $10. Tickets include five chocolate sampling coupons. More samplings can be purchased at the event for $1 per coupon, or $5 for six coupons. Children under 12-years-old are admitted for free but still need tasting coupons to sample.
Sunday, Jan. 19
Mobile Game Party, will be stationed in the Uptown Parks between 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. for the AFC Championship game between the Tennessee Titans and the Kansas City Chiefs. The game will be aired on a screen on the side of the mobile gaming theater.
While the football fans enjoy the action, gamers can go inside and play on one of four 55-inch hi-def LCD monitors. There will also be a cornhole tournament beginning at 4 p.m. with prizes. Adults over 21 can enjoy craft beer from a Books & Brews booth.
Monday, Jan. 20
Head over to the Miami Rec Center, 750 S. Oak St., between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. for a family fun day. The indoor swimming pool will be decked out with kayaks, inner tubes and a slide for kids to play with. The rock wall will also be open for climbing. Patrons can also play a game of HORSE on the basketball court. Cost is $4 for Rec Center members and $9 for non-members. Pre-registration packages can be viewed and purchased online or tickets can be bought at the event.
Right next to the Rec Center, Goggin Ice Center will host open skating between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. The event is $7.50 for admissions and includes free skate rental.