What Is Cabin Fever and Is it Real?

The pandemic turned the world into a giant prison and we all had to navigate through uncharted waters – mostly through lockdowns, social distancing, and quarantine. At the onset of the lockdown, pandemic became an excuse to stay in your sweatpants all day while binge-watching best shows on Netflix until ease in lockdown restrictions were put in place. However, as days turned into weeks and weeks into months, the idea of staying comfortable inside the home became a curse in disguise. Chances are that most of us are irritated, relentless, exhausted, bored, and in a bad mood by now. 

Interestingly, you are not the only one feeling this way at the moment. Millions are bummed out and spend most of their time indoors causing them to feel anxious and depressed. What if I told you that spending too much time indoors can also cause cabin fever. I am sure most of us have heard this term and some of us believe that cabin fever is not real. But cabin fever is real and it can definitely hit you when you spend too much time indoors. Without further ado, let’s delve a little deeper and learn more about cabin fever. 

What Is Cabin Fever?

It’s not a mental disorder. We can describe cabin fever more on the lines of psychological condition that arises from a feeling of being stuck in a confined space for many days. Once a person starts feeling stuck or alone, negative emotions take charge. As a result, everything around seems hopeless and bizarre. In simple words, an individual starts feeling that form now on things will only get worse. Does that mean negative feelings can cause us to feel feverish or out of place? Well, cabin fever is a term used for haphazard negative emotions and it can easily happen to those who are driven by negative energies. It doesn’t necessarily mean that you will start vomiting, your body temperature will go up, and you will not be able to taste anything for the next few days. Ideally, it is a mix of feelings that can cause psychological turmoil. 

Also Read: LEARN ABOUT THE BEST WAYS TO TREAT A VIRAL FEVER AT HOME

Am I at Risk of Cabin Fever?

Unfortunately, no one is immune to cabin fever. Particularly, in these crucial times when most of us are spending time within the confines of our homes. In fact, the biggest misbelief about cabin fever is that people think it is a mental disorder. Just like mental problems can be treated with the help of medicines, so can cabin fever. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but cabin fever is not an official psychological disorder. Anyone can develop it and under crucial circumstances and ideally remedies like fever treatment at home best work for these situations. That said, let us find out who is at higher risk of cabin fever. 

Yes, we can definitely differentiate between people who are at more risk and who are not by simply analyzing the lifestyle of an individual. For instance, people who live a stressful life or stay alone with a history of mental health disorders. These people are most likely to develop cabin fever. In addition to this, you also have to take note that social butterflies are more susceptible to catching cabin fever. 

You see, a simple ideology behind this is that social butterflies are prone to catching up with friends, going out, making social connections, and a lot more. When an individual relies so much on social connections, it becomes hard to stay alone. And the bad news is social butterflies fall under the vulnerable category. This means that they can catch cabin fever easily. 

In order to revive from the angst of cabin fever, you have to make sure that you don’t let yourself sink in the pool of loneliness or negative emotions. And given the fact that in order to flatten the pandemic curve you have to minimize social interactions, checking-in with your family members can be a blessing in disguise. You simply have to spend more time with your family, check-in with your friends over a video call, and develop a healthy routine. 

How Does Staying Indoors Impact Your Mood?

To be honest, cabin fever does not have an official list of symptoms, causes, and treatment plans. But that doesn’t mean you have to ignore your feelings. These are crucial times and anyone can feel out of place. It’s just that you have to tap into your inner chemical mixes and acknowledge cabin fever. While you can always check-in on yourself and take supplements to keep your immune system strong, don’t forget to take a daily dose of Vitamin D. Soak yourself in the sun when the wall of your rooms cave-in on you. There’s a good chance that vitamin D will plummet your energy levels. After all, Vitamin deficient patients are prone to develop symptoms such as back pain, weakened immune system, fatigue, and depression.

However, the deficiency of Vitamin D does not cause fever. It’s just a matter of getting out of your room and a little sun can hurt no one. Also, if you feel staying inside all day is getting on your nerves, go for a walk. Or else, exercise and explore mother nature. While doing all this make sure you are socially distanced from everyone and don’t forget to wear a mask. 

Also Read: VIRAL SORE THROAT TREATMENT- HOW TO STOP ITS PROGRESSION?

What Are the Symptoms of Cabin Fever?

If you are convulsing in the throes of cabin fever, you are most likely to become anxious and irritable. Not only this, but you will start finding problems in every small thing. Other signs of cabin fever include boredom, sleepiness, restlessness, irritability, less focus, and a wavering mind. Although the trick is that you can easily associate these symptoms with a normal bad day or having mood swings. However, continuity of these symptoms means that you have cabin fever. So, make sure that you keep your positive-self intact and do not lose your cool easily. 

Tips to Fight Cabin Fever

In these crucial times when your home is your office, gym, restaurant, movie theater, and best place to hang out, it is impossible to get out of cabin fever with the help of technology and virtual reality. Cabin fever occurs due to anxious feelings and spending more time with the screen on a daily basis can worsen the situation. After all, running a movie marathon is equally taxing as stressing over a situation. In case you feel that you have cabin fever, ensure that you do the things mentioned below. 

First and foremost, set a schedule. Yes, I know that there is nothing better than staying in your sweatpants all day while binge-watching your favorite show. But it is vital to create a schedule. Just like the one you had one before the pandemic. Even if you never had a schedule before. This pandemic is the perfect time to create one. Sit down and write everything you do during the day and then focus on the things that drain your positive energy. For instance, staying in front of the screen all day can be exhausting. 

So, try to limit screen activities and instead go out and appreciate nature or play a mind-boggling game with your family. You can also sign up for a book club. It’s never too late to start catching up on things you thought you would never do. In addition to this, tap into your inner potential self and see what you can do to stay busy creatively. This activity will cater to the requirements of fever treatment at home. More vitally, the good news is that cabin fever is not here to stay, it will pass and bring back to your normal self.