Top 5 Tips for Dealing with Cabin Fever

The weather may not be ideal, maybe the funds aren’t right, or possibly a pandemic (COVID-19, 2020) is preventing you from taking on some of adventures.. No matter the reason, cabin fever is something we all experience. Don’t worry, just because you aren’t in a cabin, or the weather is horrible, does not mean you are alone with your feelings of cabin fever.

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“So how do we deal with cabin fever?”

Let’s start with the underlying cause of cabin fever. Once we can determine the why, it sometimes becomes easier to develop a plan to cope with it.

“The term cabin fever describes the psychological symptoms that a person may experience when they are confined to their home for extended periods. Symptoms such as feelings of restlessness, irritability, and loneliness may be included”.

– Medical News Today

But cabin fever does not necessarily have to be from zero connections to the outside world. Sometimes we may just be dreaming of something more. Or not even necessarily more, but something new or something else.

And there is nothing wrong with that!

Coming up with a strategy to overcome your cabin fever doesn’t have to be a huge undertaking.

I can tell you from personal experience, even when I was always doing something; from being out with friends, working a full-time job, to spending many hours with my family.. Cabin fever had definitely hit me hard in 2016, before I embarked on a life that was all about doing more, and seeing more. And even now I find myself in times of thought, experiencing small doses of cabin fever. I believe it’s natural.

The important thing is understanding that you’ve got to recognize what is causing your cabin fever. Not only recognize the cause, but also be willing to accept a change that could help you with managing your current feelings.

“But I am not trying to change everything like that”

You know what? That’s okay, too! By no means am I going to tell you that the only way to “cure” your cabin fever is to leave many things behind you, and start brand new. That would just be a whole new ball of anxiety waiting to unravel.

What I am saying though, is there are things you can do to help in dealing with cabin fever. Things that you can do right now! Heck, after reading this article, I encourage you take steps of your own to cope with your cabin fever. I’d love to hear in the comment(s) section below how/what you did!

Top 5 tips for Dealing with Cabin Fever

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1. Stay Connected
2. Pick Up a New Hobby
3. Create a Routine
4. Me Time
5. Get Outside

Conclusion

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After a few years of on and off cabin fever, daydreaming about the beach, the mountains, the cultures.. you name it. I was able to find some things to “ease the pain” for myself, and would be willing to bet that some of these tactics can work for you too!

Of course there is no instant remedy. Nothing I can 100% guarantee will work in combating your cabin fever. But these are a few of my favorite strategies that have worked for me. Without these tips, I too, would be struggling with how to deal with cabin fever.

Yes, that’s right. I still get it too. Remember? I said on and off. Can’t be perfect all of the time.

Stay Connected

The most common underlying cause of cabin fever is social isolation. No matter the reason for this dilemma, being in the 21^st century is our answer!

There are countless ways to stay connected with friends and family, from all over the world! Even with the 5×3 computer you keep in your pocket.

I have never been a HUGE fan of social media. But not for what it is; I just don’t enjoy the skews on reality that it can create. But this is not just about scrolling through your social media feeds, and mindlessly giving the person-I-met-this-one-time-eight-years-ago a thumbs up on a picture, or reading a 280-character update on some shower thought someone had.

The idea that with today’s technology we can stay connected worldwide is not to be overlooked. Between phone calls, video chats, and messaging, it’s in your hands (literally) to reach out.

Have a virtual happy hour with some friends or family, catch up with some others who are in a totally different country, or even just stay in touch with those close to you, who you may not see as much as you’d like.

The nice thing about staying connected in these ways is that it removes the sense of “being alone”. Sure, the physical contact part is missing.. But this is cabin fever here folks.. It’s not like you can walk into your drugstore, or open up your closet and find an immediate answer to resolve all things instantly. This would be a pretty short read.
The goal here is to try new things. And, staying in touch with others is a fantastic route to take to remove the feeling of loneliness. How do you think people solo travel?

Without digging too deep into my second tip..

You could even set up a small challenge with some others. Through staying connected, you can share the experiences together, and even hold one another accountable for progression. Nothing motivates me more than knowing someone else is counting on me.

PS: Finding someone to be your pen pal is an incredible way to stay connected, open up doors of creativity, lay off the technology, and even support the postal services!

Pick Up a New Hobby

This tip for dealing with cabin fever is one of my favorites. I could go on and on about all the different possibilities out there for each of us to try, but I prefer to avoid Carpal Tunnel. It doesn’t sound pleasant.

Finding a new hobby is a great way to fill the void (if you will). Occupying your time by learning a new skill not only off-sets your boredom, but can prove beneficial for a lifetime!

Think about it like this.. Say your next adventure is taking you to a South American country, where English is their second language. If your new hobby is learning Spanish (assuming the primary language for your next adventure location is Spanish-speaking), you’ve already taken steps forward to make that experience that much better.

Not only would learning a skill associated with your journeys help develop your experiences further, but during the time it takes to learn that skill, it can get you excited for that next trip! This might sound counter-intuitive, like you are going to amp yourself up for something that may or may not be within reach.

Although the idea of getting yourself prepared for your next adventure might seem like a prompt for more cabin fever, especially if you don’t know when exactly that adventure will be… Improving yourself, even in the smallest of ways, to create a better experience is always worth while. Plus, maybe that excitement will act as an escape for a moment. Use it to your advantage, and let your mind release those pent up thoughts.

It isn’t bad to daydream. Just understand what you are doing. Plus, no one said you only have to choose ONE cabin fever coping strategy. If this doesn’t float your boat, there are plenty of other routes to take.

The hobby you pick up does not have to be something that directly correlates with your travels either. Although, you could argue that any hobby could play a part..

For example, I enjoy fishing in my free time. Among other hobbies. Do I often find myself using that skill directly during my travel experiences? No, not in particular. But I could.

Finding something that you enjoy doing opens up the door to getting you out of the norm. Don’t view it as just another thing added to your grind, and instead look at it as your time to escape. The fine line between keeping a hobby enjoyable, and letting it feel like work, is almost indistinguishable. But just remember to let your creativity flow.

Creativity is the key takeaway here. Say your hobby is reading, or even something a bit more extreme; Allow the creative juices to pump into your blood! That’s what makes it fun! That’s what helps you to escape reality for a while, and enjoy this new realm of connection you have created. That is a big play in dealing with cabin fever. If you really think about it, creativity could should be used with all of these tips!

Put Some Routines Into Place

You might read this and think…

“But Adam, isn’t your whole mantra to break from routines??”

And while you’re not wrong, creating routines can also be beneficial from time to time. Even I have some routines in my life still. You just have to remain open-minded and build a routine that keeps you engaged and motivated. Or even more simply, active and healthy.

By no means am I saying to create a strict, hour-by-hour, daily routine that must be followed. Not at all. But having a simple routine [think, rough outline of how your day(s) may look], keeps you away from that lull time. You know, the time that we find ourselves binge eating a whole bag of chips, or a tub of ice cream. Or becoming so unmotivated and lazy that all you want to do is melt into your couch for the rest of existence.

Yah, those times.

Creating a rough routine can actually be super beneficial when dealing with cabin fever.

A big part of cabin fever has to do with the sense of feeling like nothing is being accomplished. But by creating a routine, the sense of accomplishment may become apparent once again. Small goals, such as learning a new piece of your new hobby, can be achieved. And, I know from personal experience, how awesome it feels to even get those little boosts up!

It doesn’t even have to be something new, a part of my routine is to simply do something physically active for at least an hour each day. From working out, to taking photos, to going on a walk while listening to music or a podcast.

No need to overthink it. This is supposed to be helping things, not adding brain aneurisms to your list of cabin fever stressors.

PS: Notice how these tips interconnect with one another? Without even thinking about it, you can tackle cabin fever from multiple directions!

Don’t Forget About Your “Me Time”

Me time is probably one of the most important things in my life.

If you have browsed through this blog, any of my social medias, or even spoken to me in person, you know how much of an advocate I am for this time.

One thing I stress:

This goes for more than just people (the ‘nobody’). I cannot stress enough how much this impacts each one of us. The idea that doing this or seeing that will ultimately make us happy.. well, not to be the wet blanket here, but no one experience can create that indefinite happiness.

Nobody likes a wet blanket.

Planning out some me time is the furthest thing from daunting.

In fact, it is probably some of most enjoyable moments when I am feeling overwhelmed. Quite literally creating time that I look forward to. Where I can forget about everything else for a while, and chill the h*ll out.

It might feel like you are already “doing nothing” with your time, while experiencing cabin fever. But this chill out time is an opportunity to not think. Not get trapped in your own mind. Not worry about those anxieties. It’s not simple. As a matter of fact, it takes some getting used to. But I promise, it’s worth it.

Grab your hammock and head to the park, write in your journal, meditate, do some yoga… There are a million and one different ways to engage in “me-time”. The simplicity, or complexity, of it is up to you. The point here being… do something for own enjoyment.

Obtaining this time does not mean secluding yourself, and being alone. For some, this time can be socializing (I say this loosely), listening to music or a podcast, or even taking part in a sport.

If you really think about it, ALL 5 of my tips for dealing with cabin fever are different forms of me time!

Find something that makes you happy. Preferably something that takes your mind off of things, or helps you do so. And incorporate that into your life (routine).

GET OUTSIDE

In addition to Me Time, getting outside is absolutely one of the best ways to handle cabin fever.

“If I could get outside, and go on my trips, I wouldn’t have cabin fever…”

Getting outside doesn’t have to be some extravagant development. Literally just getting outside, and spending some time in nature has been proven to reduce stress and anxiety, and improve overall health in countless ways.

I strive to get outside for at least an hour a day, no matter the weather. Sure, you may have to grab some new gear to overcome the inclement conditions; But I’d rather spend the extra dollars on that gear and get that time outdoors, well over staying couped-up indoors and not taking advantage of the many benefits nature can provide.

Now, depending on the reasons for isolation, be sure to follow all guidelines in order to get outside safely.

The depth of nature is not the important upshot from this. Just getting your dose is.

Connecting with nature, in anyway you deem fitting, can fill this role. Plant and manage a garden outside or in your own home. Open up the windows, and enjoy the sounds and smells. Disconnect for a bit and watch the sunrise or sunset from the comfort of your own home.

The possibilities are endless, so don’t fret if taking on some solo hiking adventure isn’t your cup of tea.

Conclusion

Here is little bonus tip:

Don’t Forget to Unplug!

As fantastic as social medias and technology can be, they too can also be a source of overwhelm. Social Media vs Reality is a real thing, and by feeding yourself endless news, you might just be burying yourself even further into your cabin. You cannot consistently feed your brain more information from others, and continue to allow yourself to compare your situation to someone else’s.

Don’t be afraid to step away from electronics for a while. A simple google search will come up with thousands of benefits from doing so, and this will only help you become (more) comfortable with you.

I definitely foster the idea of being alone during this time. Like the quote above states, “learn to love yourself”. It’s a massive take.

Here, in case you forgot…

Dealing with cabin fever seems daunting. Looking at things as a broad picture and not focusing on the smaller things can make it seem impossible to overcome.. without just doing.

But, more often than we’d like to admit, we find ourselves in a situation where we cannot just do. Whether it be in our own heads, or a physical barrier from taking on that next adventure, cabin fever creeps up on us, and hits us right where it counts.

Thankfully, easing the symptoms of cabin fever can be achieved in various ways.

I like to tell myself during times of no travel (which is when I get hit by cabin fever the most), that by the time I can travel again.. I want to be in better physical, mental, and emotional health than I was prior to this experience. That way, when I can get back to it, I am ready to take on more, do more, and get more out of each experience I encounter.

One of my all-time favorite ways to go about conquering cabin fever, and tie all of these tips together into one package, is to take part in “micro-adventures” (check out this book by Alastair Humphreys). This is where road-tripping comes into play for me.

Road trips can be had solo, or with a group a people; local, or long-distance. And by designing a road-trip to fit your needs, match your restrictions, and incorporate your new methods of dealing with cabin fever.. they can be one giant heap of benefits for both your mind, and your body.

Hop over and contact me, if you need help planning your next adventure. These types of experiences don’t need to be expensive, nor do they need to be some immaculate extravaganza. After years of experience, dealing with good and bad, micro and macro trips, I am willing to help get you out of the gutter, and back to living your story.

Give these tips and tricks a whirl. I use them myself, and I am confident if you apply yourself to some of these techniques, you will be able to combat that pesky cabin fever.

Cheers!

Got some tips of your own you’d like to share? Leave a comment!