Beech Tree News Network

If you’ve felt “all cooped up” during our winter weather, you may have experienced a bit of cabin fever. Adverse weather conditions causing us to be indoors for a day or more can result in a sense of feeling trapped in the house. Many of us have experienced mild cabin fever symptoms.
Cabin fever is an expression we use for a claustrophobic-like reaction that occurs when a person or group is isolated in a space with little to do for an extended time. Cabin fever describes the irritability and restlessness a person may feel in these situations. When experiencing cabin fever, one may tend to sleep, distrust others, or feel an urge to be outside, regardless of weather -just to escape. This phrase is also commonly used in reference to simple boredom from being home alone (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cabin_fever). Based on research, one therapy for cabin fever is going outside to interact with nature. “Reading, board games and card games may help, but getting outdoors and engaging in physical activity may be the only real ‘cure’…. Calling a friend, or simply trying to get a change of scenery, may help as well” (http://www.wisegeek.org/what-is-cabin-fever.htm).
I asked friends and family how they avoided cabin fever. Their responses are below:
•    I read, play on the computer, play with my daughter, and work on projects.
•    Getting out on the sled.
•    Walk the dog…. I tend to come in and enjoy the warmth rather quickly!
•    Read, cross stitch, and think about plans for spring and summer. Also, do some quilting.
•    Unfortunately, I don’t have too many chances for cabin fever. I have to go to work regardless.
•    I am never at home as much as I want to be, so I don’t get cabin fever. There is always something that needs to be done, and it’s great to be forced to lay around!
•    I am immune to it. I think I could make a very good hermit. I’m sad when I have to leave the compound. (I haven’t been bored since the day I learned to read. And, the invention of DVR was a happy bonus.)
•    I’ve cleaned house a lot. Since we now live in town, I’ve taken advantage of that and gotten out when possible.
•    I actually think I have caught it! So, here’s some things I am trying to do to cure it: got a week’s free pass to the gym (most gyms do this in January), went to the library, read, when to the movies, played really loud music and danced. And then, I repeat to myself 100 times or more, “This too shall pass; it always does.”
•    I don’t even think about it. I just get in the Jeep and go where I want to when I want to.
•    As you know, I knit. Sometimes I meet friends for coffee, sometimes I sew, sometimes I rearrange how a room looks (can’t move furniture like I used to). Then when I’m at the end of my rope, I threaten to run screaming naked down the road. However, commonsense always prevails – I have yet to do the latter.
•    Don’t have cabin fever yet – haven’t stopped going. If I had to stay in for a while, I’d probably enjoy the time at home as long as I had plenty to eat and could stay warm. If I were confined, I would probably watch a movie or read or take a nap (and would enjoy the down time!).
•    I have started cleaning out closets, drawers, etc., and walking on the elliptical.
•    I don’t have the chance to have cabin fever! But, we usually watch movies.
•    No cabin fever here! But, I would probably watch TV or read.
•    Doing things that I would only consider because I am trapped in the cabin: cleaning out closets, getting ready for income tax, binge TV watching. My mother told me that I should accomplish something every day no matter how small, so there is guilt built into the cabin…. No fever for me.
•    Thank goodness for the Internet these days…Pinterest.
•    I keep myself extra busy all the time, so when we have winter weather and have to be confined to the house, it’s a relief.
•    I avoid cabin fever by staying busy. I do chores around the house, catch up on computer work and paperwork, read, and watch DVR TV programs.
Our winter weather has confined many of us for a few days at a time. Sometimes it’s hard to avoid feeling “cooped up,” but physical and goal-oriented activities seem helpful in avoiding those cabin fever symptoms. And, winter won’t last forever.