A snow day at home, away from work and school, sounds like fun, but that feeling is often short-lived. After a while, cabin fever sets in. Beat the isolation blues with these seven Mindful tips.
For those familiar with the winter blues or seasonal affective disorder (SAD), cabin fever will sound familiar. For both SAD and cabin fever the lack of sunlight triggers feelings of depression. But with cabin fever, there is the additional isolation factor, which can contribute to depression. The isolation and lack of natural sunlight can lead to an array of symptoms.
Cabin Fever Symptoms
- Restless
- Irritable
- Unmotivated
- Unable to concentrate
Looking for a cabin fever cure? Try out these tips during your next winter storm.
7 Tips for Cabin Fever Prevention
- Window gaze. While you’re in your home open the blinds as often as possible. Gazing outside and even cracking the window can help you feel more connected with the outdoors.
- Clear space. An uncluttered environment means an uncluttered mind. While spending the day cleaning may not be as fun as a Netflix marathon, it will help you feel less tramped and confined.
- Stay pumped. Exercise is a great cure for cabin fever. When we’re locked indoors, we tend to lounge around and become stagnate. Exercise releases endorphins that will keep you in a good mood.
- Stay mentally active. Make sure your mind gets regular exercise, too. Crossword puzzles and mentally challenging apps like Lumosity and Memory Trainer can help keep cabin fever symptoms at bay.
- Play. After cleaning, exercising, and problem-solving don’t forget to have a little fun. Playing boards games, roughhousing with the family dog, and dancing are great ways to lighten your mood while you’re stuck inside.
- Get a hobby. Is there a book you’ve been meaning to finish? Is there a project you’ve been putting off? Make the most of this unexpected time off and get things done. You can also use the time to start a new hobby like crocheting or painting.
- Eat the right foods. At times like these, people love to indulge in their favorite unhealthy foods that are full of caffeine, sugar, and fats. To avoid cabin fever, try to keep your diet as balanced as possible. And try to eat foods that will keep your mind sharp.