Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesCopingWhen to Seek Help
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Causes
Coping
When to Seek Help
Cabin fever is a popular term for a relatively common reaction to beingisolated or confinedfor an extended period of time. Cabin fever is not a specific diagnosis but rather a constellation of symptoms that can occur under these circumstances.
There are times you might find it difficult to leave home, such as during times of illness or bad weather. While you might feel okay at first, extended periods of being confined to your home can eventually lead to feelings associated with cabin fever, such as anxiety, loneliness, and poor mood. Learning to recognize these signs can help you find ways to cope.
Symptoms of Cabin Fever
Not everyone experiencing cabin fever will have exactly the same symptoms, but many people report feeling intenselyirritableor restless. Other commonly experienced effects are:
Note that these symptoms may also indicate a wide range of other psychological disorders. If these symptoms are distressing or impact your functioning, a trained mental health professional could help you determine if you have a treatable disorder.
Causes of Cabin Fever
Social interaction and support are essential for well-being. People are likely to experience cabin fever when they feel like they are cut off from other people.
Many people experienced this feeling during theCOVID-19 pandemic.Due to social distancing, shelter-in-place orders, and quarantines, there was a significant shift in the amount of social contact people had for extended periods.
Other factors that can cause symptoms of cabin fever include:
It is also important to note that your overall personality can affect how well you cope with some of these feelings. People with moreintroverted personalities, for example, might be better able to stay busy and entertained when they are cooped up at home. Those who are moreextroverted, on the other hand, may struggle with feelings of isolation and loneliness to a greater degree.
Coping With Cabin Fever
If your symptoms are relatively mild, taking active steps to combat your feelings may help you feel better. If they are impacting you more significantly, they are best addressed with theassistance of a therapistor other mental health professional.
The Best Online Therapy ProgramsWe’ve tried, tested and written unbiased reviews of the best online therapy programs including Talkspace, Betterhelp, and Regain.
Get Out of the House
If you can go outside, even briefly, take advantage of that opportunity. Research has found that spending time outside can help relieve stress, boost mood, and improve feelings of well-being.
Exposure to daylight can help regulate thebody’s natural cycles, andexercise releases endorphins, creating a natural high.Even a quick stroll can help you feel better quickly. If you cannot leave the house, get close to a window with some sunshine coming in and find ways to be a little more active in the house.
Create a Routine
When you’re cooped up at home, not having a daily schedule or routine can worsen feelings of cabin fever. Research has shown that havingregular routinescan help people better cope with feelings of anxiety and stress. So, when you start to feel symptoms of cabin fever, try creating a schedule that keeps you busy, socially connected, and healthy.
Maintain Normal Eating Patterns
For many of us, a day stuck at home is an excuse to overindulge in junk food. Others skip meals altogether. However, eating right can increase our energy levels and motivation. You may feel less hungry if you are getting less exercise, but monitor your eating habits to ensure that you maintain the proper balance of nutrition. Limit high-sugar, high-fat snacks that make you feel lethargic, and drink plenty of water.
Stress-Relieving Techniques to Stop Emotional Eating
Set Goals
When you are stuck in the house, you may be more likely to waste away time doing nothing of importance. This can make you feel like you don’t have much purpose and can negatively impact your self-esteem.
Set daily and weekly goals, and track your progress toward completion. Make sure that your goals are reasonable, and reward yourself for meeting each milestone.
Tackle Your Goals with Time-Blocking Techniques
Use Your Brain
Exercise
Even if you cannot leave the house, find a way to stay physically active while indoors. Regular physical activity can help burn off any extra energy you have from being cooped up indoors. There are plenty of ways to be active in the house. Pull out those old workout videos, walk your stairs, and try bodyweight workouts. There are several online apps and videos that will give you new ideas for exercise that you might enjoy.
Such symptoms might indicate a mental health condition such asdepressionoranxiety. An accurate diagnosis can help you get the appropriate treatment, which may involve psychotherapy, medication, or a combination of the two.
Final Thoughts
When you can’t get out of the house, cabin fever can seriously impact your mood and well-being. Fortunately, there are things that you can do to help yourself feel better. Reading a book, playing board games, watching television, and talking to friends can help if you can’t leave the house, but getting up and spending some time outside is often the best solution.
How to Cope With Loneliness
3 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Bratman GN, Anderson CB, Berman MG, et al.Nature and mental health: An ecosystem service perspective.Sci Adv. 2019;5(7). doi:10.1126/sciadv.aax0903Konis K, Mack WJ, Schneider EL.Pilot study to examine the effects of indoor daylight exposure on depression and other neuropsychiatric symptoms in people living with dementia in long-term care communities.Clin Interv Aging. 2018;13:1071-1077. doi:10.2147/CIA.S165224Friedman DB, Laditka SB, Laditka JN, et al.Ethnically diverse older adults' beliefs about staying mentally sharp.Int J Aging Hum Dev.2011;73(1):27-52. doi:10.2190/AG.73.1.bAdditional ReadingAmerican Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition, Text Revision (DSM-5-TR); 2022. doi:10.1176/appi.books.9780890425787
3 Sources
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Bratman GN, Anderson CB, Berman MG, et al.Nature and mental health: An ecosystem service perspective.Sci Adv. 2019;5(7). doi:10.1126/sciadv.aax0903Konis K, Mack WJ, Schneider EL.Pilot study to examine the effects of indoor daylight exposure on depression and other neuropsychiatric symptoms in people living with dementia in long-term care communities.Clin Interv Aging. 2018;13:1071-1077. doi:10.2147/CIA.S165224Friedman DB, Laditka SB, Laditka JN, et al.Ethnically diverse older adults' beliefs about staying mentally sharp.Int J Aging Hum Dev.2011;73(1):27-52. doi:10.2190/AG.73.1.bAdditional ReadingAmerican Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition, Text Revision (DSM-5-TR); 2022. doi:10.1176/appi.books.9780890425787
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Bratman GN, Anderson CB, Berman MG, et al.Nature and mental health: An ecosystem service perspective.Sci Adv. 2019;5(7). doi:10.1126/sciadv.aax0903Konis K, Mack WJ, Schneider EL.Pilot study to examine the effects of indoor daylight exposure on depression and other neuropsychiatric symptoms in people living with dementia in long-term care communities.Clin Interv Aging. 2018;13:1071-1077. doi:10.2147/CIA.S165224Friedman DB, Laditka SB, Laditka JN, et al.Ethnically diverse older adults' beliefs about staying mentally sharp.Int J Aging Hum Dev.2011;73(1):27-52. doi:10.2190/AG.73.1.b
Bratman GN, Anderson CB, Berman MG, et al.Nature and mental health: An ecosystem service perspective.Sci Adv. 2019;5(7). doi:10.1126/sciadv.aax0903
Konis K, Mack WJ, Schneider EL.Pilot study to examine the effects of indoor daylight exposure on depression and other neuropsychiatric symptoms in people living with dementia in long-term care communities.Clin Interv Aging. 2018;13:1071-1077. doi:10.2147/CIA.S165224
Friedman DB, Laditka SB, Laditka JN, et al.Ethnically diverse older adults' beliefs about staying mentally sharp.Int J Aging Hum Dev.2011;73(1):27-52. doi:10.2190/AG.73.1.b
American Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition, Text Revision (DSM-5-TR); 2022. doi:10.1176/appi.books.9780890425787
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