Combatting Cabin Fever in a Pandemic

Photo by Josh Hild from Pexels

We are all cooped up at home and while it was fantastic to be around our families at first (and still is, really), we’re starting to snap at each other, we are losing patience, energy, and motivation.

So, how do we keep going, keep the energy and enthusiasm up, and feel less restless in our homes? I’ve been doing a little research on this exact topic for my own sanity and thought I would share what I’ve found!

Open the shades, windows, get outside: That fresh air will do wonders, particularly in the mornings. Take a moment to step out on the front porch even and take in the fresh air (it's at its freshest right now!). Open the windows, even a crack, to let fresh air circulate in your home.

I have been going for a morning run three days a week, and find myself feeling almost euphoric on the way home as I take in the beauty of my surroundings. It is quiet outside, and I get almost the entire road to myself!

My 7-year-old has been cracking all the windows in the house at the warmest time of day. It's his "pandemic chore" and I just might maintain this chore once this is over. Our house feels so fresh and healthy!

Keep a routine: Mimic what you did prior to social distancing. Get up at the same time, shower and get dressed as though you were planning to go outside. Have the kids do the same. Have "work hours" and "home hours"

Stick to a schedule: We put a schedule on our calendar that mimics the kids school schedule. They go outside for recess every day, multiple times a day. If the weather is horrendous, we let them play in our basement where they can be loud and rowdy and we can still focus on getting our work done.

But don't forget your own leisure time! Every day should consist of the following activity types for everyone on the home:

• Learning/work activities

• Liesure activities

• Responsibility activities

• Social connection activities

Set goals: Remember all those things we said we would do if we only had the time? Well, the joke is on us, because now we're home, but likely have LESS time! To make things worse, we are distracted, lethargic, and unmotivated.

So, take that first ounce of motivation to make a list. Give yourself realistic daily and weekly goals, and celebrate the milestones!

Zone out your home for activity types: Keep work in the work spaces and play in the play spaces. One of the most challenging areas I find when designing is the kitchen. A kitchen is often a family gathering space. The kids use the dining table for homework, parents will work there as well. While some houses are smaller and require the flexibility of mixed-use spaces, I always recommend dividing spaces as much as possible.

Our work has become so highly overlapped with our home lives, particularly now that we are working from home. It can be nice to work snuggled up with a blanket, but it also can "taint" that cozy space making it feel less cozy and special. Remember work space for work. Home space for family life.

Find ways to socially engage: Texting and email are great because they don't put the demand on others to be available at the same moment that you are. However, we need to see each others faces and engage in real-time regularly. Set aside some time a few days a week to make a video call or phone call.

Move! Do you have one of those fitbits that buzz every hour to remind you to move? Listen to it! Even standing up to stretch, or walking to the kitchen to get a glass of water. That physical movement will release a big part of the cabin fever anxiety!

Keeping that water glass full may help curb the cravings and help with weight gain.

Engage in brain-healthy activities: Binge-watching television can actually lead to feelings of depression and hopelessness, according to research. Limit yourself to two hours per day for video and media consumption. This would include leisure shows, the news, and social media. 

We are all bored. But, remember there are alternatives that can get your brain engaged! Do a crossword, read books, and play board games. Take up a hobby to engage in with your leisure time.

Home Improvement Projects: Try a little re-arranging, sort through those junk drawers, freshen up the trim in your home with a new coat of paint. Looking for something a bit bigger? We are available for virtual design projects, including your renovation projects and custom furniture design and are happy to help you work through even the smallest projects!

References: Psychology Today, Very Well Mind, Erie Insurance Blog, CNN Health, IFL Science

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