Feeling election stress and anxiety? Let us help.

We have more than a dozen ideas for Minnesota distractions, from movies to restaurants to spas.

The Minnesota Star Tribune
November 1, 2024 at 10:12PM
Jason Kimmel poses for a photo with his first bullseye with axe throwing. ] ALEX KORMANN • alex.kormann@startribune.com FlannelJax's Axe Throwing is nestled in a large old industrial building in St. Paul, MN. From the outside it looks to be abandoned but up the stairs and to the right you will find twelve wooden targets mounted on the wall and people of all shapes and sizes hurling axes at them. Along side the axe throwing there is log sawing, inflatable log rolling and other games. $25 g
Earlier this year, Jason Kimmel poses for a photo with his first ax-throwing bullseye at FlannelJax's Axe Throwing in St. Paul. (Alex Kormann/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

The rapidly approaching election is making some Minnesotans tense. To get your mind off of what you can’t control, we’re offering up these suggestions for diversions.

Find comfort in food

Start your ovens! It’s never too early to bake ahead for the holidays, and our cookie finder lets you search for ingredients you have on hand.

It’s also not too early to sample pizza so you know what to order for election night. We rounded up the best pies in town to get you started.

Something about going out for burgers feels normal. So go out for burgers.

Mary Tyler Moore portrayed TV news producer Mary Richards in "The Mary Tyler Moore Show," which was set in Minneapolis. (The Associated Press)

Be entertained

You know what’s comforting? Nostalgia. And movies. Combine them and check out these very Minnesota flicks.

There’s nothing like a good murder mystery to get your mind working. Check out this whole new literature genre, perfect for couch or bathtub reading.

Immerse yourself in music to switch up your mood; we rounded up the best local releases so far this year.

Remember a golden era of news and television by streaming “The Mary Tyler Moore Show,” famously set in Minneapolis and famously funny. We dare you not to laugh at the Chuckles Bites the Dust episode.

Get the answers to questions you didn’t even know you had with our Curious Minnesota compilation — the rabbit hole is deep and deeply distracting in this reader-driven reporting project.

Laura Yuen and Frankie were all smiles shortly after the pup was welcomed to her new home. (Provided)

Boost your endorphins

Human stories lift spirits, too, like the one about Mark Rosen finding love again after he lost his wife. Or the one about William Cope Moyers facing down opioid addiction.

Finally, why not get pampered? Now’s the time to splurge on some self-care. We have spas aplenty both locally and regionally, as well as a hot sauna scene and communal baths.

We’ll get through this, Minnesota.

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