Deal with Cabin Fever as a Pro…

Are you getting distressed and bored from being home all day? You might not have the symptoms of COVID-19 but instead cabin fever. Cabin fever does not actually give you a fever, but it can give you a feeling of being bored because you have been in your home for too long. Most human beings are social animals and like to go outside and interact with other people. Staying inside by yourself all day is the exact opposite of that.

 You’ve been stuck inside for days … weeks … months? Time can seem meaningless in the age of COVID-19 and sheltering in place. And the term “cabin fever” sounds altogether too quaint to describe your serious case of stir-craziness. Good news is you are not alone in this and it is curable, here are few tips that might be helpful in bringing you out of the cabin fever gloom.

Come up with a Routine

Being isolated can take a little structure out of your life because you are not used to being at home with no structured work, but you can utilize the time in learning how to be managed when the entire world is mismanaged. You don’t have to let that structure be taken away from you as you can make up a new routine. You may not have your usual structure of going to work or school, but you can make up new goals and a daily routine you can look forward to each day. For instance, you can set up your normal 3 meal a day routine but then add projects or workout time in between. You can even set up downtime schedule of a movie night or a board game every night after dinner.

Eat nutritious meals: There’s a time and a place for brownies, and lock down is that time and place. But neglecting nutrition will only leave you feeling sluggish, so enjoy comfort food in moderation.

Exercise: The gyms may be closed but that should not prevent you from working out every day. If you are not used to working out every day, now is a good time to get into shape since you have more time on your hands. You can try going outside for a daily walk or order some exercise equipment and start working out in the comfort of your own home. Working out gives you something to do and keeps you healthy. It’s important for about a gazillion reasons, and mental health is one. “Regular activity can improve stress, depression and anxiety and help you sleep more soundly.

Protect your slumber: Try to go to bed and wake up at your usual time. Minimize naps, which can make it harder to get a full night’s sleep.

Prevent Boredom: The main objective of avoiding cabin fever is to not get yourself bored or too lazy to want to do anything. Novelty is the opposite of boredom. Try something totally original or just do the regular things in fresh new ways.

Have a picnic: Take your family, pack up some favourite food and spread a blanket in your balcony or in the living room floor.

Learn a new skill: Sign up for an online art class, learn to speak new language, try baking French macrons or teach yourself a chord on the guitar you bought seven years ago and never learned to play. The options are endless.

Connect

Loneliness and social isolation contribute to mental and physical health problems, from depression and sleep troubles to heart problems and dementia. But you don’t have to be shoulder-to-shoulder with someone to reap the benefits of connection. In the age of social distancing, use virtual connections to fill the gap:

Schedule a happy hour: Plan a regular time to video chat with your friends or family members.

Write letters: Texts are practically essential during self-isolation, but it’s fun to channel your inner Victorian. Dust off your fanciest stationery and write a longhand letter to someone you love.

Bonus points if you actually have a good handwritting. Encouraging your kids to write letters can help them practice penmanship and stay connected to their friends.

Open up: When talking with your loved ones in person or virtually, you don’t have to put on a brave face. Being honest about your worries, fears and future dreams can bring you closer and make your relationship stronger.

Find moments of zen

There’s a lot of overlap between cabin fever and an anxious, racing brain. Find soothing ways to peace out:

Take up meditation: Mindfulness and meditation practices can reduce stress and anxiety and even improve your attention span

Get some alone time: If you’re at home with other people, the constant togetherness might be making you extra antsy. Take a solo walk, or set your alarm to wake up before the rest of the household for some much-needed quiet time.

Use your brain: Days at home can feel aimless. But solving a problem or meeting a professional challenge can give you a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction:

Read a book: Too much media can crank up stress levels during troubling times. Escape into a meaty novel, or learn about a new person or place with some great nonfiction.

Some of these tips like eating right, exercising, getting enough sleep, staying connected are good for all of us but not everyone needs to stay super-busy to avoid going stir-crazy.

Some of us are already stretched thin by work from home, home chores, managing kids and feeding everyone matching to their expectations.

There’s no shame in curling up with a good book or just going to bed an hour earlier, after all, there is no blueprint for this. We’re all making it up as we go, so find the cabin-fever strategies that work for you.