Whether you’re brand new to the city of Denver or you’ve been here long enough to call yourself a “Coloradoan” (and yes, a Subaru and pair of Chaco’s are required), there is a plethora of things to do in and around the Mile High. Here is a list of some of the most known and unique things to add to your bucket list during your stay here in Denver.

Trail the Deep Powder

“Ikon or Epic?” Arguably the most asked question in Denver, aside from “how many 14ers have you done?” It would be hard to make a list of top things to do while living in Denver, without including what attracts so many visitors and new residents to this city. Here is a brief rundown on some of the most popular ski/snowboard resorts a short drive away from city. Though small, Eldora Resort is the shortest drive from Denver and it’s few lift lines are reasonably short! Eldora offers diverse terrain, including beginner trails, more advanced black diamonds, and park. However, aside from being smaller than most of the other resorts, it can get fairly windy, especially at it’s peak, which means icy conditions. It’s hard to find anything wrong with Winter Park, it’s Mary Jane trail provides arguably the best tree runs in Colorado and Winter Park provides terrain to match any rider, whether you’re just starting out or a seasoned veteran. On a good day, Arapahoe Basin has some of the best powder skiing/snowboarding Colorado has to offer. With a summit elevation of 13,050 feet, A-Basin is not usually known as a resort for beginners, as it has some of the highest skiable terrains in Colorado, attracting more advanced riders. However, beware of skiing/snowboarding A-Basin’s Montezuma Bowl on a bad day, as the snow can get very crusty to the point where you’re better off riding on rocks. Probably the best resort outside of Vail for you Epic riders, Breckinridge is a well-polished ski resort with amazing backdrops and pristine terrain for all level of riders. It’s town is also very vibrant, with great shops and restaurants, maintaining a laid-back and old feel to it. And last on my list, the holy grail of skiing/snowboarding in Colorado, Vail has very few flaws, except for it’s ridiculously priced lift passes. It is one of the largest and most popular Ski resorts worldwide and it's easy to see why once you are there, with its back bowls spanning seven miles of some the most groomed powdered terrain.

Get Outside – Hike, Bike, Rock Climb!

In addition to its renown ski resorts, the Colorado landscape offers an abundance of outdoor activities to take in; some more fitting during the calmer weather of spring and summer. Some great hiking areas/trails to excursion nearby Denver are: St. Mary’s Glacier, which is an easy out and back hike in Idaho Springs, providing stunning panoramic views and a beautiful lake you can walk right by. Mount Falcon Park in Morrison and the Alderfer Three Sisters trailhead in Evergreen provide an abundance of scenic trails which can be trekked without too much difficulty. For those looking for a greater challenge, be sure to venture down to Colorado Springs and take on the Manitou Incline, a 2,744 step incline that extends over 2,000 feet of elevation; be-warned, this isn’t your casual stairmaster. Lastly, the Chautaqua Trailhead located in the Flatirons of Boulder, also features a range of trails for all types of hiking, including it’s most known Royal Arch Trail, which is a fantastic but rigorous hike with a breathtaking view if you can make it to it's peak. On your hike, you may spot some individuals carrying giant crash pads, as the Flatirons hosts a number of popular areas to boulder and rock climb. Other popular spots to boulder/rock climb are Castlewood Canyon State Park, Three Sisters Park, Clear Creek Canyon, and Eldorado Canyon. Many of the aforementioned trails you can enjoy with your furryouriend, along with some of these popular dog places, Cherry Creek State Park, Chatfield State Park, Wash Park, and Sloan’s Lake. Those looking for more adventure and wanting to try their hand at mountain biking, Greenwood Village, Buffalo Creek, Hall Ranch, and Apex Park, offer some of the best mountain bike terrain within an easy striking distance from Denver. As well, many popular ski resorts, like Winter Park, Copper Mountain, and Keystone, have bike parks with hundreds of trails to explore during the Spring and Summer. Finally, no list of outdoor activities in Colorado would be complete without mentioning a few 14ers. Some of the top 14ers in Colorado are Mount Elbert, North Maroon Peak, La Plata Peak, and Long Peak, the only 14er in Rocky Mountain National Park.

Eat Away your School Worries

You can’t have a things to do list without food recommendations. Start your day off right with some delicious breakfast at Sams No. 3, Bacon Social House, or Snooze: An A.M. Eatery. Speaking of breakfast, if you’re in the South Broadway (SoBo) neighborhood, you can’t miss out some mouthwatering biscuit sandwiches at arguably Denver’s most popular restaurant, Denver Biscuit Company. Denver Biscuit Company is also home to Fat Sully’s, serving delicious New York style pizza. Head down the street to try out some amazing tacos at Adelitas Cocina Y Cantina, some creative charcuterie boards and wine at Postino, or some savory handcrafted empanadas at Maria Empenadas. If you’re exploring around the Lower Highlands (LoHi), Lower Downtown (LoDo) and Ballpark District areas, be sure to stop by Rootdown, El Five, The Pig & The Sprout, Jax Fish House & Oyster Bar, Uncle, ChoLon, What the Pho, and the Thirsty Lion Gastropub. While downtown, be sure to also grab a gourmet dog from Denver’s famous Biker Jim’s Gourmet Dogs, with a wild variety to choose from, including wild boar, ostrich, and rattlesnake & rabbit. Close to campus, Pearl Street is also home to some delicious eats nearby, such as Izakaya Den, Uno Mas Taqueria y Catina, and Park Burger. There are also some great vegan restaurants in Denver, including Somebody People, City O’ City, So Radish, Watercourse Foods, and Meta Burger. Some other great Denver staples to grub out at are the Culinary Dropout, The District, and Bad Daddy’s Burger. On the dessert side of things, both Little Man Ice Cream and Sweet Cow are excellent go-to-places for ice cream, satisfying your sweet tooth with amazing flavors and toppings. You also can’t miss out on some warm baked cookies from Insomnia Cookies or one of Voodoo Donut’s crazy donut flavors, such as their Cap’n Crunch and Bacon Maple Bar donuts

Enjoy a Beer or Cocktail

Even more notoriously linked to Colorado than it’s Subaru drivers, is its beer enthusiasts. With 92 breweries in the city of Denver alone, there is no shortage of responsible drinking options to choose from. Some popular breweries located in Denver are Denver Beer CO., Epic Brewing, Great Divide, Cerebral Brewing, Ratio Beerworks, and 14er Brewing and Beer Garden. For those looking for something a little stronger, Denver hosts a number of great rooftop and patio bars, including ViewHouse Ballpark, Avanti, Happy Camper, Tap Fourteen, 54thirty, Recess, and Improper City. Those hoping on the speakeasy bandwagon, Run for the Roses, B&GC, Five Nines, Retrograde, and Williams & Graham are really neat speakeasies to check out. Denver also host several cool bars with fun activities to enjoy with friends or a date; play some classic arcade games and pinball at 1UP Arcade Bar, try your hand at minigolf at Urban Putt, or hit up Punch Bowl Social for some bowling and other fun games.

Go Sports!

With professional sports teams representing the “Big Four” professional sports organizations in the U.S. (MLB, NBA, NFL, and NHL), Denver offers a variety of sports to enjoy live, wither you truly enjoy watching the game or go more for the “beverages” and food. With only a couple home games left in the season, you can still catch Denver’s most beloved team, the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High. If you’re hoping to see a team win though, Denver’s own Colorado Avalanche are defending Stanley Cup champions this year! You can catch them hit the ice at the Ball Arena, which they share with the Denver Nuggets, Denver’s basketball team which os also off to a great start this season. Even though it’s early, you can’t miss out a hotdog and brew while basking in the sun and watching the Colorado Rockies play at Coors Field over th esummer. For those looking to save some money, you can purchase $16 tickets (includes $6 in concession/merchandise credit) to The Rooftop, where you can stand in the outfield rooftop area, conveniently situated right by the bar.

With arguablythe greatest view a concert venue has to offer, it is no wonder why Red Rocks is world known and brings some of the best artists to Colorado. If you’re hoping to get a ticket to a concert at Red Rocks this Spring or Summer though, your best chance is getting tickets during pre-sale or being one of the first to jump on tickets, as Red Rocks is notorious for selling out within minutes. Some notable artists that have already been booked for shows this Spring and Summer are: Bob Moses (4/15), John Summit (5/14), Rezz (8/31) and Gorgon City (4/27) for those into the electronic music scene. Old Dominion (5/27), Parker McCollum (8/10), and Jon Pardi (8/11) for you Country lovers, and some great bands, including the Artic Monkeys (9/18 – 9/19), Lord Huron (5/31), Sublime w/ Rome (4/28), and Mt. Joy (8/17-8/18). Red Rocks also offers Yoga on the Rocks (7am sessions) over the summer for $17 a session, or for you yogi’s you can purchase a 5-pack for $80 or season pass for $150. As well, you can also catch a flick at their Film on The Rocks for $16.

https://www.redrocksonline.com/

For those of you looking to do some traveling and outdoor adventure, without venturing too far from the Denver area, here are some great places to check out this summer in Colorado and surrounding states (And yes, this is pretty much a National Parks guide).

Colorado

Rocky Mountain National Park/ Estes Park

One of the most visited national parks in the country, Rocky Mountain hosts majestic peaks, glistering lakes, and wildlife grazing in the valley; a setting for some incredible outdoor adventures and breathtaking views

Recommended Spots/ Activities

Lake Haiyaha

Twin Sisters Peak

Sky Pond

Chasm Lake

Black Lake

Andrews Glacier

Bird & Jim (restaurant)

Smokin Daves (restaurant)

Travel Tips

Coming from lower elevation to Rocky Mountain, definitely want to ease your way into some of the more challenging and higher elevation hikes. High elevation hikes, like the Bear Lake trailhead can induce altitude sickness if not properly acclimated. Make sure you bring proper hiking apparel (e.g. hiking boots or hiking spikes), equipment, and water for more challenging hikes like Twin Sisters Peak and Chasm Lake, as the terrain and elevation gain can be rigorous without proper gear. Due to COVID timed-entry reservations are required, so be sure to make reservations on the national park website to secure your place in the park. As well, try to arrive to Rocky Mountain early morning to avoid the large summer crowds.

Glenwood Springs, CO

This small mountain town is the place for a relaxing getaway; considered the world’s largest mineral hot springs pool, Glenwood Springs offers numerous outdoor pools and hot springs, along with beautiful scenery and outdoor adventure.

Recommended Spots/ Activities

Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park

Iron Mountain Hot Springs

Glenwood Hot Springs Pool (Spa of the Rockies)

Fairy Caves

Slope & Hatch (Restaurant)

CO Ranch House

Mesa Verde National Park

Located in the southern west corner of Colorado, Mesa Verde National Park is unique site to visit; this national park if full of rich history, protecting thousands of archaeological sites and offering visitors diverse outdoor activities, ranging from camping to touring their many Ancestral Puebloan cliff dwellings.

Recommended Spots/ Activities

Cliff Palace

Visit Archaeological Sites

Cliff Dwelling Overlooks

Park Point

Petroglyph Point Hike

Ranger Lead Guided Tour of Cliff Dwellings

Spruce Canyon Trail

Travel Tips

If your planning on doing a guided tour of the cliff dwellings, either buy your tickets a day in advance or show up to the park early, as the tours sell out. This national park is split into two main features (Chapin Mesa and Wetherill Mesa) which are an hour and a half drive from each other, so if your planning on seeing most of the park, plan to visit at least two days.

Great Sand Dunes National Park

Known for it’s towering sand dunes (tallest dunes in North America), this national park and preserve also offers a diverse landscape of grasslands, wetlands, forests, and alpine lakes. Visitors staying at night, are treated with a mesmerizing view of the night sky filled with stars and the milky way galaxy.

Recommended Spots/ Activities

Sandboard or sand sled down the dunes

Medano Creek

High Dune

Hike tallest dune in North America (Star Dune)

See the stars at night

Travel Tips

Plan to visit the sand dunes either during the early morning or evening during summer, to avoid sand surfaces that reach up to 150 degrees and thunderstorms. Make sure to dress appropriately and brig essentials for the hot sand surface and conditions (e.g. sun screen sunglasses, hat). The dunes can experience high winds so you may want to wear an long sleeve shirt w/ UV protection and face cover to protect your skin. If you are planning on sandboarding down the great sand dunes, you will need a specific sandboard or sand sled made specifically for sand, as snowboard, skis, or snow sleds will not slide on the sand surface. The national park does not rend sand sleds or sandboards, so plan to rend gear outside of the park. The closest store to the park that rents out sandboards is the Oasis Store (4 miles away).

Utah

Moab; Arches and Canyonlands National Parks

The gateway to Arches and Canyonlands National Parks, Moab is one of the most sought-after destinations in the American Southwest. This beautifully scenic city surrounded by stunning red rock landscapes and offers its visitors a unique experience of small town hospitality mixed with beautiful scenery and the cool waters of the Colorado River.

Recommended Spots/ Activities

Arches National Park

Dead Horse State Park

Canyonlands National Park

Mountain Bike Slickrock Trail

River Rafting on Colorado River

Slot Canyons in Moab

Petroglyphs at Newspaper Rock

Sabaku Sushi (Restaurant)

The Blue Pig (Restaurant)

Zion National Park

One of the most popular and visited national parks in North America, Zion is a spectacle unlike no other. From being engulfed by majestic, towering red rock cliffs in the Narrows to scaling a small footpath next to a 1,400 foot drop at Angels Landing, there is not shortage of adventure and beautiful scenery at Zion.

Recommended Spots/ Activities

The Narrows

Angels Landing

Emerald Pools Trail

Observation Point

Canyon Overlook Trail

The Subway

Riverside Walk

Travel Tips

If you’re planning on visiting the Narrows and want the most comfortable hiking experience, you may want to wear some kind of water shoes, as in some areas you’ll be hiking through knee deep water. As well, you may want to bring a hiking stick to keep your balance, as some parts of the hike contain slippers, jagged rocks. Because Zion runs on a shuttle system and you need to a shittle to access the majority of trails, plan to arrive to the park 45 mins to an hour before the time you plan to hike, as the shuttle ride from the visitor center to the end of the park (Temple of Sinawava) takes 45 mins. To avoid the large crowds at Angels Landing, which can make the hike more strenuous and even dangerous, Angels Landing is best hiked early in the morning (before 8am) or late after afternoon (after 3pm).

Salt Lake City

Encompassed by captivating mountains towering over the skyline, this scenic city offers a wide array of both outdoor adventures and more leisure ways to spend your time, making this city of the true gems of North America.

Recommended Spots/ Activities

Ensign Peak Overview

Memory Grove Park

Liberty Park

Park City

Homestead Crater Mineral Dome

Donut Falls Trailhead

Antelope Island State Park

Causey Reservoir

Lucky 13 (restaurant)

Garage on Beck (restaurant)

The Red Iguana (restaurant)

Wyoming

Jackson, WY

Jackson, WY, the gateway to Yellowstone National Park, is beloved vacation spot like no other, offering it’s visitors great scenic adventure and activities for the summer, while also giving that quite small town feel, with unique eateries, stores, and monuments.

Recommended Spots/ Activities

Horseback riding at Mill Iron Ranch

Whitewater Rafting in the Grand Canyon of Snake River

Visit Town Square

National Museum of Wildlife Art

Million Dollar Cowboy Bar

Jackson Rodeo

Mountain Biking at Jackson Hole Bike Park

Virginian (Restaurant)

Snake River Grill (Restaurant)

Yellow Stone National Park

Yellow Stone is one of the most recognized and visited national parks, and for good reason. This national park offers unparalleled experiences, from exploring its unique geothermal areas containing close to half of the world’s active geysers to observing wildlife in their natural habitat, this is truly a place to check off the bucket list.

Recommended Spots/Activities

Old Faithful Geyser

Grand Prismatic Spring

Mammoth Hot Springs

Upper Geyser Basin & Morning Glory Hole

Lamar Valley

Hayden Valley

Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone

Yellowstone Lake

Travel Tips

Because Yellowstone is one of the most visited national parks, you want to plan your trip and book your accommodations in advance (some hotels in Yellowstone book up a year in advance). If your looking to visit Yellowstone on a budget you may want to consider lodging outside of the park, as well as getting gas and food, as these are all pretty pricey once in Yellowstone. If you’re visiting Yellowstone to see wildlife, the best chances of seeing wildlife are at Lamar Valley and Hidden Valley at sunrise.

Grand Teton National Park

With over two hundred miles of alpine terrain trails, extraordinary wildlife, majestic Teton mountains, glistering lakes, and the Snake River, Grand Teton offers countless possibilities to enjoy the serenity of this extraordinary monument.

Recommended Spots/Activities

Scenic Drive

Jenny Lake Loop Trail

Inspiration Point and Hidden Falls

Canoe or Kayak Jenny Lake

Mormon Row

Schwabacher Landing

Amphitheater Lake

Cascade Canyon Trail & Lake Solitude

Travel Tips

Be sure to plan ahead and book any reservations for lodging and campgrounds for ahead of your visit as reservations are booked quickly during the peak hours (campsites are a much cheaper stay than the park lodges). With the summer crowds, parking may be difficult to find during peak hours, so try to visit the park before 9 am and after 4 pm to avoid the crowds. This is a get away best enjoyed without your pup, as pets must be restrained at all times and are not permitted on hiking trails or facilities within Grand Teton.

New Mexico

Carlsbad Caverns National Park

Located in the Chihuahuan Desert of southern New Mexico and with 100 caves, Carlsbad Caverns National Park offers an experience unlike any others. It’s most famous cave, Carlsbad Cavern, is over 1,000 feet deep and with 30 miles of mapped passages.

Recommended Spots/ Activities

Carlsbad Caverns Natural Entrance Tour

The Big Room (Big Room Trail)

Bat Flight Program

Kings Palace

Giant Dome

Lion’s Tail

Travel Tips

If you’re claustrophobic, then is probably not the best park for you to visit. Some areas of the Big Room and Natural Entrance trails can become wet from natural water drips, therefore, you may want to wear closed toed shoes with good traction for your safety. Year-round temperatures in the caverns can get fairly cold, even in the summer so you may want to bring an extra layer. Visitors are allowed to bring water, but any flavored drinks or food is not permitted in the Cavern, so be sure to eat before or after. The cavern is dimly lit, so while you can bring a flashlight or headlamp, it is not necessary.

White Sands National Park

The most visited national park in New Mexico, White Sands offers it’s visitors breathtaking views of it’s wave-like white sand dunes, along with fun adventures like hiking and sledding across it’s 275 miles of desert.

Recommended Spots/Activities

Take the Dunes Drive

Hike the Dunes Trails

Interdune Boardwalk

Playa Trail

Alkali Flat Trail

Sled the Dunes

Dune Life Nature Trail

Camp in Dunes Backcountry

Travel Tips

Be sure to check out the park website for updates on upcoming closures of the park, due to the park being located near an active military missile range and the park being closed during active missile testing. Because the sand is so white it is very reflective of the sunlight, you may want to wear appropriate clothing (i.e. long pants and sleeves) to prevent skin burning, along with sunglasses. If you’re visiting White Sands to watch the majestic sunset, the best place to watch the sunset is on top of the dunes in the northwestern region of the park; Ideally, you want to head out to the dunes at least an hour before sunset.

Arizona

Antelope Canyon Area

Antelope canyon, consisting of five different scenic slot canyon areas on a Navajo Reservation, is truly a beautiful and one-of-a-kind place, as visitators are immersed within majestic canyon slots as they trek along, enjoying the truly breathtaking scenery of the sandstone walls.

Recommended Spots/ Activities

Upper Antelope Canyon

Horseshoe Bend

Rattlesnake Canyon

Glen Canyon Dam

Mountain Sheep Canyon

Travel Tips

The only way to explore canyon is through a guided tour. Booking reservations in advance to your visit is highly recommended as tours quickly book up. Because visitors will be traveling through sandy floors in the canyon and possible wind, bringing some sort of face covering or masks is recommended.

Grand Canyon National Park

Home to the notoriously known Grand Canyon, this marvelous landscape also features a host of different outdoor adventures and breathtaking scenery, including camping, rafting down the Colorado river, and marveling at the sight of Havasu Falls.

Recommended Spots/ Activities

Grand Canyon South Rim Trail

Bright Angel Trail

Havasu Falls

Mather Point

Horseshoe Bend

Bright Angel Trail

Whitewater rafting on the Colorado River

South Kaibab Trail

Travel Tips

During the summer, between 9:30 am to 4 pm the South Rim Entrance Station experiences long lines and visitors can expect to wait up to two hours to enter the park. To reduce wait time to buy your park pass online. Summer temperatures inside the canyon can reach up to 115 degrees during the midday (between 10am and 4pm), to avoid the extreme heat conditions and large crowds, plan your outside of these times. Be sure to bring plenty of amenities to accommodate for the heat conditions (i.e. water, sunscreen, sunglasses, water spray bottle, loose and protective clothing, wide brimmed hat).

Sedona

A geological wonderland, Sedona hosts over 400 plus miles of trails and is surrounded by 1.8 acres of national forest land. Sedona offers it’s visitors a diverse range of terrain from high mesas and rocky cliffs to forests and rivers, to meet any of their adventure needs.

Recommended Spots/ Activities

Cathedral Rock

Airport Mesa Trail

Devils Bridge

Bell Rock

Slide Rock State Park

Oak Creek Canyon

Chapel of the Holy Cross

Tlaquepaque Arts and Crafts Village

The Golden Goose American Grill (Restaurant)

Tii Gavo (Restaurant)

The Winter can be a challenging quarter for many graduate students, assessment courses start up for first year students and many others are hustling to stay on top of their clinic and practicum requirements, in addition to their regular coursework. On top of all that, this Winter hasn’t exactly been the most forgiving, with single degree days and continuous snow showers. I don’t know about everyone else, but I get a ‘little’ less motivated to leave my apartment and go to school when it’s 9 degrees outside or drive to my practicum site on a road of ice (thank you Denver street sweeping). Wither you’re feeling a little more down and less energetic during the colder, darker days of Winter or starting to feel a little less motivated and burnt out with the coursework, here as some self-care tips to help you get through those Winter blues and ready for Spring quarter.

by Mark Thomas

· Get in your exercise! – Some days it may be tough with the weather conditions and the many other commitments of being a grad student, but even a quick 30 min in-home workout or walk outside can keep your body and mind fresh. The Coors fitness is also great gym to workout when on the DU campus and is free to all students.

· Get outside and some sunshine when possible –A lack of sunlight exposure during the Winter disrupts our circadian rhythm and causes our brains to work extra hard to produce melatonin. As well, greater exposure to sunlight helps increase our brains releasee of serotonin, which helps boost mood. So, whenever you can during the day, get outside and get some sun exposure.

· Keep up a healthy sleep routine – Sleep is a significant component of mood and when we don’t get enough adequate and regular sleep, our circadian rhythm is disrupted which negatively impacts our mood. Some strategies to getting better sleep are:

o Avoiding electronics before you go to bed

o Sleep in a cool, dark room

o Keep the time you go to be and wake up consistent

o Expose yourself to light in the morning

· Reach out to your support system – As psychologists we know that keeping emotions in without letting them out in a healthy way can negatively impact our mental health. Stay in touch with and reach out to friends and family if you’re feeling more down during the Winter. Feeling like lonely and isolated can make the Winter blues worse, so reach out to people you’re close to and who you can talk to about how you’re feeling, or find ways to spend time with your support system (i.e. group-video chats, coffee dates, walk at the park).

· Maintain a healthy diet – With the drastic change in weather and light in the day, the Winter can lead to changes in eating habits. However, it’s important to try and maintain a healthy diet that is going to give you the energy boost to maintain throughout the day and take on the cognitive and emotional demands of grad school. Some of the research found suggests to incorporate these food into your diet to increase your mood

o Fatty Fish (i.e. salmon, tuna) – rich in omega-3s that are linked to lower levels of depression

o Dark Chocolate – high in flavonoids, which have been shown to increase blood flow to bran

o Bananas – High in vitamin B6, which helps synthesize dopamine and serotonin

o Oats – Excellent source of fiber, which helps allow increase of sugar into bloodstream to keep energy levels stable

o Berries – High in antioxidants which can help manage inflammation associated with depression and mood disorders

o Coffee – Increases mood-boosting neurotransmitters, like dopamine (you’re in luck iced coffee lovers)

o Bean and lentils – Great source of B vitamins, to help increase levels of neurotransmitters like serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine

Some food to avoid are:

o Soda, energy drinks, and other sugar sweetened drinks – causes quick spikes and drop in energy

o White Bread – highly processed white flour quickly turns to blood sugar, which causes energy spikes and drops (replace with whole-grain)

o High sugar foods (i.e. cookies, candy, cake) – Too much processed sugar causes fluctuation in energy levels and can lead to mood disorders

o Deli meat – Chemical used to preserve deli meat can cause body to hold water weight, bloating, headaches, and mood swings

o Processed foods (i.e. chips, breakfast cereal) – Are high in trans fat, which overconsumption can lead in increased irritability and mood swings

· Look into a Winter Hobby or Activity – Wither you’re into skiing or snowshoeing, finding something that you might enjoy and actually look forward to during the Winter, can make those harsh, cold Winter days less dreadful.

· Find Balance! – As important as it may seem to finish that paper right away or the urge you get to skip your workout to prep for your next assessment, it’s important to find balance in your work as a grad student. Don’t forget to find some time in your week to do something that you enjoy and brings you pleasure. Even spending one day a week dedicated to doing the things you enjoy and taking time away from the books, may make a world of difference in your mood.

With fall quarter winding down and winter break soon approaching, here are some ways to enjoy Denver during a much deserved break away from the books. For those looking to enjoy some fresh air and adventure outside of Denver, here are some ways to see what Colorado has to offer with a reasonable drive.

By Mark Thomas