What is Cabin Fever?
Staying for days after days inside the house or a certain closed place, which most of the people are experiencing nowadays i.e. during self-quarantine, lead to restlessness, irritability, and discontented feeling, and this is known as cabin fever.
To bring in an outbreak that is infectious, under control, it becomes necessary to bring out the rule of isolating all the people.
With social distancing and self-isolation being the best option to contain the COVID-19 outbreak, it gets important to maintain the mental health from crashing and not let the effects of stress due to isolation overpower the health.
Cabin fever can lead to symptoms that can be difficult to handle without proper coping techniques.
Symptoms of Cabin Fever
A person suffering from cabin fever shows the following symptoms:
- Hopelessness
- Decreased motivation
- Irritability
- Restlessness
- Lethargy
- Irregular sleep patterns
- Difficulty in concentration
- Lack of patience
- Sadness and depression
- Distrust in people
It is easy for some people to get rid of these feelings, by diverting their minds. It can be done by taking up creative projects or taking up a hobby to pass time.
Tips To Deal With Cabin Fever
Cabin fever is not any recognized condition. You just need to find ways to engage the mind to alleviate the distress and irritability.
Get Fresh Air
Getting outside and breathing fresh air is rejuvenating for mental health. Take a walk in the garden or walk around the terrace. If you fall under the high-risk group and cannot move out, you can try the following:
- Open the windows so that there is a circulation of fresh air in the house
- Grow herbs or small flowers in the windowsill, patio, or balcony
- Hang a bird feeder outside the window, this would bring the birds closer
- Put in fresh flowers in a vase and keep in a place in the living room where you can see and smell them throughout the day.
Time spent with nature is really worthwhile.(1) It helps alleviate mood, boost feelings of well being and reduce stress.
Set Up A Routine
Lack of routine can disrupt the daily essential activities such as eating, sleeping, and others.
The daily routine would differ for everyone and might include mealtimes, workout times, work projects, home projects, and even downtime.
Setting up the routine helps you track the time you are spending on different activities and help reach the mini-goals.
Keep Up With The Social Life
During the quarantine period, nobody can go out but can stay connected in a different way.
Use video streaming services with the friend, colleagues, and loved ones.
Connecting with people in similar conditions can help you share your experience with them and this can help uplift the mood of both you and your loved ones. Sharing thoughts, emotions, and challenges can make you realize that whatever you’re feeling is normal and make you worry less.
Seek Out For Some Alone Time
The nearness of other individuals can intensify the feeling of cabin fever.
People living together have a responsibility towards each other, but a, me-time is also important.
Giving self, time away and relaxing help rejuvenate the body and mind to deal with the activities and challenges of the day with the family along with maintaining calm.
Exercise
Exercise or any kind of physical activity lowers the stress hormones in the body. This is why people who exercise regularly are less prone to anxiety.(2)
Also exercise leads to the release of endorphins that boost an overall feeling of well-being.
Push-ups, squats, lunges, planks, burpees are a few basic exercises that can be put in the routine.
You can also do yoga to calm the mind and improve health. Deep breathing, relaxation exercises, and mindfulness help maintain health and balance.
Chill Out
Keep out time to chill. There should be a little time, in the day that is out of any kind of plan or routine. Keep it to chill and do what you want to do.
Self-quarantine can be really challenging but coping with it is not impossible. The coping strategies can help keep the mind away from anxiety of the disease outbreak and also help you spend time at home in a good way.
Also Read:
- What is Traveler’s Fever, Know its Symptoms, Causes
- What is Hay Fever, Know its Causes, Symptoms, Treatment, Prevention, Pathophysiology, Risk Factors
- How Long Does Viral Fever Last in Children and Adults?
- Common Causes of Fever & Systemic Illnesses That Cause Fever
- What is Q Fever: Treatment, Recovery, Signs, Symptoms, Causes, Prevention, Epidemiology
