Winter blues? Head to Norris Hot Springs!
If shorter days and shifts in weather zap your energy and make you feel blue, you’ve got classic symptoms of a seasonal mood disorder. Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a form of seasonal depression triggered by the change in seasons that occurs primarily in winter. Why do some people get SAD? Experts aren’t certain, but some think that seasonal changes disrupt the circadian rhythm: the 24-hour clock that regulates how we function during sleeping and waking hours, causing us to feel energized and alert sometimes and drowsy at other times. About 4 to 6 percent of U.S. residents suffer from SAD, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians, and as many as 20 percent may have a mild form of it that starts when days get shorter and colder. Women and young people are more likely to experience SAD, as are those who live farther away from the equator.
What to do about it? The natural treatments include being outside in sunshine, taking additional Vitamin D, use of aromatherapy and changing your routine. The Hot Springs offer the outside option, and winter is still plenty sunny at Norris. A soak in the natural pools offer a blast of helpful negative ions, and is the perfect change of routine. A hot soak on a cold day in a historic wooden pool – what could be better?
Well, how about delicious and nutritious food served poolside? The onsite garden at Norris had a banner year of vegetables and greens, as well as some fruit. Much of that has been perfectly preserved so your soup, special or other menu items retain the just-picked flavor of the summer. Add a craft beer or wine and you’ve got a lovely meal to enjoy while you soak in hot water.
If your visit happens to correspond with a weekend, you can also enjoy the finest in regional acoustic live music every Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 7pm.
On Friday, February 1st, Restless Pines kick off a new month. The guitar and violin folk duo composed of Chad Ball and Sarah Crossman play original folk/roots and Americana music. The pair have played together in the Red Mountain Band for the last few years.
Lang Termes follows on Saturday, February 2nd. Lang’s vocal style ranges from mellow folk ballads to growling boogie blues. His style of songwriting – both original music and lyrics – comes deep from the heart, or in some cases, bubbles up from his whimsical sense of irony. Lang’s selection of covers ranges from early country blues to the full gamut of contemporary classics. A few of his biggest influences include Muddy Waters, Woody Guthrie, Bruce Springsteen, Eddie Vedder, and Townes Van Zandt.
Wolf and the Moons will entertain on Sunday, February 3rd. The Missoula-based Americana/bluegrass band is known for their rich harmonies and extensive mix of originals and covers that make for a unique and entertaining experience.
Make way for Dan Henry on Friday, February 8th. The Montana native is a singer/songwriter with a unique vocal style coupled with acoustic guitar and bluesy harmonica. He’s driven by a blues influence, but covers a wide range of music from folk and rock to reggae, and so much more.
Enjoy the sounds of Todd Green on Saturday, February 9th. Originally from Michigan, Green has lived in the area for more than thirty years. He is known for his acoustic light rock musical style and passion for vinyl records. Expect to hear ‘60s–‘80s rock classics including favorites from America, The Eagles to David Bowie, Pink Floyd and everything in between.
Tom Catmull closes out the weekend on Sunday, February 10th. Tom has been writing, recording, performing, eating and breathing music for nearly two decades. He likes telling stories, making acoustic and electric guitar sounds and using them to wrap words around a melody. The style of Tom’s music usually lands somewhere between the blurred lines of country, country swing, pop, and folk. His band, Last Resort, is an all original rock/pop four-piece.
New to Norris, New York folk/soul artist Leah Woods performs on Friday, February 15th. Her compositions are rawly inspired by constant search for adventure and striving to create positive change, some of which can be found on debut EP Brighter Tides. Woods aspires to use music as a way to create that positive change in the world through Melodies 4 Water, a third-party project that creates live music events to bring clean drinking water to different communities around the world.
Jessica Eve Lechner is back on Saturday, February 16th. Bringing a folk sound driven by genuine, honest original songs as well as a few covers from acts like Grace Potter and The Beatles, Lechner is an amazing performer. Her originals are passion-filled stories from her life experiences and growing up in Montana, creating a musical portfolio any audience can relate to.
The March Divide, the solo acoustic project of Jared Putnam, takes the Poolside Stage on Sunday, February 17th. A prolific songwriter, Putnam has garnered significant attention over the years, with songs featured on television shows and commercials. His songs are upbeat, pop-driven indie rock songs with strong vocals and catchy arrangements.
Further information about the natural minerals in the springs, the full winter menu, operating hours, and more can be found at www.norrishotsprings.com. Norris is located 34 miles west of Bozeman near the intersection of Highway 287 and Route 84. •
