Working from home has its upsides and is great for so many reasons! But it also has its downsides and can generate real feelings of isolation.
So it should come as no surprise that remote workers experience cabin fever.
If you feel like crap, you’re lethargic and unmotivated, it can become a real drag on your productivity.
It could be because you’re snowed in, or more commonly in this post-coronavirus world we now live in, because you are working from home and you rarely see your colleagues and don’t venture out very often, if at all.
People who suffer from cabin fever tend to feel a lot of things including feeling empty inside because they feel like they’re cooped up in a cage all day and are lacking human contact.
So, how do we deal with cabin fever?Â
As someone who’s been doing the work from home thing for a long time, in this article, I’ll share with you how to deal with cabin fever as someone who’s a remote worker.
Real quick, before we get too far into it here, if you want to get more great ideas for your gaming room or home office and want to connect with other home office hackers to make your space the best join my free private Facebook group, Home Office Hacks here.
How do you overcome cabin fever when you’re working from home?
Cabin fever is a real problem for many people who work at home. It’s not just because we’re stuck inside all day long; it’s also because we’re isolated from our friends and family.
Get out of the house
Even if it’s only for five minutes. Go for a walk or take a drive.
To combat cabin fever, try taking breaks every hour or two to get outside and walk around. Even just a short stroll around the block can refresh your mind and give you a much needed boost of energy.
One thing that helps me stay motivated is going outside and getting some fresh air every day. Even if it’s just for a few minutes, it can give me a boost of energy and remind me that life goes on after work hours.
Go to a co-working spot and work there
When you’re feeling cabin fever, try going to a co-working space. These places offer free WiFi, meeting rooms, and plenty of social interaction.
You’ll meet people who are just like you—people who are working remotely as contractors, freelancers, entrepreneurs, employees, etc. You will have the opportunity to network and make connections, share ideas, and meet new people.
There are many different types of co-working spaces available. Some offer desks, meeting rooms, and co-working memberships. Others provide office space, conference rooms, and lounge areas.
Whatever works best for you, make sure that you choose a location near your house or apartment. That way, you can walk over whenever you need to grab a snack or catch up on emails.
Create a routine
Working from home can be tough. It’s easy to feel stuck inside all day long, especially if you don’t have a set schedule. But creating a routine can help you avoid cabin fever and stay productive.
Start off by scheduling your work hours. Set aside specific times during the week where you’ll work, and stick to these times every day. If you’re having trouble sticking to a schedule, try setting reminders on your phone or computer.
Next, create a daily checklist of tasks that you need to complete. Make sure that each task has a deadline, and then cross them off as you finish them. This helps you stay focused and prevents you from wasting time on unimportant tasks.
Finally, make yourself accountable. Ask someone else to hold you accountable to your goals, whether it’s a friend, family member, coworker, or mentor. Don’t let yourself slack off just because you aren’t working face-to-face with other people.
Keep your lunch hour
When it comes to remote work it’s easy to get in the habit of making poor decisions when it comes to food – both in the kind of foods you eat and the time of day you’re eating.
Maintaining healthy habits during your work day at home is vital for your energy levels.
That means that you’re not skipping meals, and that you’re not indulging in junk food.
The goal here is to make sure you’re eating at regular intervals throughout the day. Eating every three hours helps keep your metabolism going and keeps you from feeling hungry.
Maintaining a balanced diet means making sure you get enough protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals every day. Try to eat three meals per day instead of grazing throughout the day. Also, make sure to drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.
Use goals to keep your eyes on the future
One way to prevent cabin fever is to set goals for yourself. For example, if you want to lose weight, write down specific milestones that you’d like to reach. Then, every morning, look at your goals and remind yourself of where you stand. This helps you stay focused and motivated, and it keeps you accountable to yourself.
Another way to deal with cabin fever is to plan fun activities for yourself and set rewards for yourself as you attain your goals.
Creating a streak where you make a promise to yourself that you’re going to do something that makes you feel great every day is a fantastic way to stay motivated.
Whether it’s going for a walk outside or taking a trip somewhere, doing something active, you can set goals that will become motivations on their own – don’t break the streak!
Exercise
One of the best ways to beat cabin fever is to exercise. Exercise helps clear your mind and relaxes your body.
Exercise is so beneficial to your body and mind because, if you spend all day alone in front of a computer, your brain gets tired and starts to shut down.
It can be something mild, or if exercise is your thing, you can go all in.
For example, it can be as simple as stepping away from your desk for a while and taking a walk.
If running is your thing, consider getting up earlier than usual to go for a run before you settle down in to the home office to work.
Or take your lunch break and go to the gym during the day. Daytime gym trips are my absolute favorite because I’m not forcing myself to go at a really inconvenient time (like super early in the morning), and the gym is a lot less crowded during the day.
Plan your day out
It’s easy to get distracted and lose focus, especially during times when you’re feeling bored or lonely. The best thing to do is to set aside specific hours where you work.
Without a plan, you may find yourself wasting time surfing social media, watching TV, or playing video games. You could also end up spending too much time on your phone, which isn’t good either.
Having a designated start time and a designated end time is crucial too.
It’s way too easy to let work time cross over into your personal life, even when you’re not working from home, so setting up start and end times is a vital way to making sure you’re not spending too much time inside.
Take a break
Working from home can be tough. It’s easy to feel stuck inside all day long, especially if you work alone. But taking breaks every now and then can actually help you become more productive.
It’s important to remember that working from home doesn’t mean that you have to spend all day glued to your computer screen.
Make sure you’re being kind to yourself and scheduling breaks into your day.
Even if you don’t have kids, you still deserve to take a break every now and then. Schedule a night where you don’t answer emails or respond to texts, and instead enjoy yourself. Take a walk, grab lunch, or catch an episode of New Girl on Netflix.
These small breaks are so incredibly helpful if you’re feeling like you’re going stir crazy!
They will also give you energy and motivation to continue to get stuff done so you can complete that big project you’re working on.
Get some sun
Seeing the sun is one of the best ways to get rid of cabin fever. it will help you maintain natural circadian rhythms, and a brisk walk can even help to release endorphins, which will make you feel fantastic.
Getting outdoors and spending some time in the sun can be a great way to boost your mood and keep you motivated throughout the day.
In addition, it’s really important to bring natural light in to your home office too. Too much artificial light can cause eye strain.
Sunlight and movement are so good for you, especially you’re feeling particularly low, due to being indoors all the time.
Connect with others in person or virtually
Whether you’re working from home full-time, part-time, or both, connecting with others is essential.
Connecting with friends is a vital part of staying sane while working from home.
You’ll need people around you who understand what you’re going through, and who you can talk to.
It’s also important to remember that you don’t have to spend every minute of your day alone. There are plenty of ways to connect with others while staying productive.
For example, you could join a mastermind group, attend a webinar, or participate in online classes. These options allow you to interact with other professionals without having to physically visit each other.
Whether you’re meeting up with friends or family members, joining a local meetup group, or participating in virtual events, these activities will help you stay connected.
Go shopping
One way to deal with cabin fever is to go shopping.
And that could be going to the mall or to the grocery store.
Whether you buy yourself a gift or just treat yourself to a nice meal, going out to shop can help you feel less isolated.
Shopping is a great way to relieve stress and feel productive, especially if you’re feeling stir-crazy and you’re heading to the grocery store.
It doesn’t matter if you’re just browsing online or going to a physical store, shopping helps to clear your mind and relax you. Plus, it gives you a chance to check out stuff that you might not normally buy.
Do some chores
One thing that helps me get out of a slump is to do some chores.
My home office is right next to our laundry room, so when I’m feeling like it’s time for a break, it’s really easy for me to throw in a load of laundry.
Take few minutes to clean the kitchen and unload the dishwasher, get outside and mow your lawn, go clean your bedroom and make up your bed – any of it will help you get your mind on to other things.
Whether it’s cleaning the house, taking care of pets, or working on projects around the house, these tasks always give me something to focus on while still keeping me busy.
Have something to look forward to
To combat cabin fever, try planning a vacation or scheduling activities into your that you’re looking forward to.
For example, trying to plan your next family vacation can almost be as exciting as actually going on vacation!
Schedule lunch with friends, plan fun outings with your kids, or sign up for classes or workshops. These activities will give you something to look forward to during the week, and they’ll also help you stay connected to others and give you something exciting to look forward to.
What is “cabin fever”?
Cabin fever is a term used to describe the feeling of loneliness, boredom and irritability that many people experience when they’re stuck inside for prolonged periods of time.
Usually it’s something that’s more common in areas where winters are long and cold, but there are so many people working from home these days that it’s common to have that “stir-crazy” feeling because you’re spending extended periods of time by yourself in your home office.
Whether it’s because you live in the Arctic circle or you’re just another person who’s working from home these days, it’s a natural response to spending too much time indoors, especially if you don’t have any friends or family nearby.
But cabin fever doesn’t just affect people who live alone; it affects everyone who spends too much time indoors.
People who work from home can often feel cabin fever because they’re isolated from their coworkers, and they may also miss out on social events like parties and dinners.
What are the symptoms of cabin fever?
Cabin fever is a term used to describe the feeling of loneliness and boredom that many people feel when they’re stuck inside all day.
And since so many of us are working from home these days, it’s more and more common to hear about people complaining about being stuck inside for too long.
People who suffer from cabin fever often end up becoming irritable, depressed, and anxious. They may also experience insomnia, headaches, and stomach problems.
Here are a few of the things you may experience if you’re struggling with cabin fever.
boredom – You might find yourself getting bored after spending hours at home every day. Even if you do have some hobbies, you may not want to spend your free time doing them anymore.
- low energy
- depression
- laziness
- irritability & restlessness
- impatience
- anxiety
- poor motivation
- loneliness
- hopelessness
What causes cabin fever?
Cabin fever is caused by being cooped up in a house all day, whether it’s because you work from home, or you’re experiencing back weather, and a lack of human interaction.
It happens when you’re stuck inside all day, every day, without any real contact with anyone else.
People who suffer from cabin fever often feel depressed, anxious, and irritable. They may experience insomnia, headaches, and stomach problems. There are ways to deal with cabin fever, though, as noted above.
Next Steps
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