10 Ways to Recharge During Fall in the Champaign-Urbana Area
Fall arrives with plenty of fanfare: School! Football! Pumpkin picking! Halloween! It can also feel overwhelming, so it’s important to carve out time to slow down and take care of ourselves. Lucky for us, we belong to a community that offers myriad ways, for introverts and extroverts alike, to nurture our minds and bodies. Here are 10 ways to recharge.
Start with a Sweet Treat
Plan your day with a little treat to look forward to. Mad Goat Coffee’s seasonal Caramel Apple Butter Latte is the perfect start to a brisk morning. The Signature Fig Amaretto Latte from Hopscotch Bakery + Market is another worthy pick, and while you’re there, sit down with a buttery croissant or pain au chocolat.
Join a Book Club
Reading a book can quiet a racing mind, and talking about it with others creates mood-boosting connection. The Literary is chock-full of book clubs for every taste: romance, small and independent presses, historical fiction, horror, and more. Our wonderful local libraries also offer a variety of clubs, so you’re sure to find your people (and the discipline to finish the monthly pick).
Climb the Walls
Rock climbing is a whole-body workout, plus it demands your full attention, which can keep the ruminations at bay. Even if you’ve never climbed before, the welcoming, supportive team at Horizon Climbing will guide you through it. Urbana Boulders and Boneyard Boulders also welcome beginners. You may even discover your new favorite activity!
Pour a Candle
A favorite scent can make a room immediately feel more calm and comforting. Fire Doll Studio has you covered. Beyond an amazing variety of soy-based candles (Cranberry Waffles and Cozy Sweater are seasonal faves), you can pour your own with a customized fragrance you develop yourself. Walk-ins are welcome!
Attend a Creative Workshop
Switch your brain off work mode by making something with your hands. Throughout the season, The Farms at Allerton Park & Retreat Center offers events and classes like nature sketching, wreath making, and zine workshops. Every Tuesday night, Gallery Art Bar hosts Collage Night, a no-pressure way to flex your creative muscles. And Main Street Botanicals in Mahomet offers floral arranging, cookie decorating, and more.
Get Take-Out
Sometimes it’s best to get dinner to-go so you can go home and watch trashy TV. No shame in that. Kohinoor Indian Restaurant & Lounge is perfect for the occasion, with rich, comforting curries served with rice and naan. And now that Maize on South Neil has a drive-thru, you can pick up birria tacos and tortas ahogadas without getting out of your car!
Explore Outdoor Art
No need to overthink this one. The best 1-2 punch of getting your steps in while seeing some stunning public art among the prairie is at Urbana’s Meadowbrook Park. The nearly 2-mile loop will boost your heart rate and your mood.
See Some Stand-Up
Yellow & Company in Mahomet has cemented itself as the area’s premier venue for stand-up comedy, with national touring acts rolling through all season. For comedy closer to home, you can catch CU Broad Comedy at the Rose Bowl and comedy open mic at The Space. And for Mr. Show and Arrested Development fans, acclaimed comedian and actor David Cross takes the stage at the City Center on November 13.
Cuddle with Alpacas
Few things melt stress faster than friendly, fluffy animals. Sundrop Alpacas in Bement offers opportunities to mingle with members of the herd. Plus, you can take home some of the coziest socks around, made with wool from the alpacas themselves. (Just be sure to check their website for open hours or to make an appointment.)
Unwind with a Warm Drink
Sure, you could go to a bar or restaurant, but now that you have your candle and alpaca-wool socks, why not stay home and concoct your own? Pick up Curtis Orchard’s delicious apple cider (you can also find it at Harvest Market), then heat it up with a couple of cinnamon sticks for a comforting treat. If you need a little somethin’-somethin’, add a splash of Paxton’s own Silver Tree Spirits. Their Ringneck Rye Whiskey is a natural fit, and you can also find it at Harvest Market or the Prairie Fruits Farm & Creamery Store.
Now Go Take a Break
Sometimes it’s easy to forget that we’re allowed to just stop and actually do something good for the soul. Put your to-do list on the backburner and take care of yourself. It’s allowed!