Earlier this week, I started feeling sleepy around 6 or 7 pm and had no motivation to do anything – to eat, read, work, or watch Netflix. I even messaged a friend that I’ve been feeling very sleepy lately and attributed my condition to being tired. I attended the Para-Pandemic Positivity talk of Dr. Ellen Agustin hosted by Aegle Wellness over zoom and she said that those who live alone and lack social contact might experience a decline in mental health. The warning signs are changes in mood, sleep habits, appetite, and difficulty in functioning. In the course of her talk, she mentioned “cabin fever”.
Cabin fever refers to the “Distressing claustrophobic irritability or restlessness experienced when a person is stuck at an isolated or in confined quarters for an extended period of time…”. One of the symptoms is sleepiness or sleeplessness.
I normally go out of my place once or twice a week for groceries. I haven’t ventured out for two weeks straight, and probably, that’s when the cabin fever hit.
Here’s what Dr. Ellen recommended to do to beat cabin fever:
1. Be physically active.
2. Schedule time to worry for at least 15 minutes. She recommended writing all your worries in a journal and after 15 minutes, stop worrying.
3. Maintain social contacts through social media, video chat, email, etc.
4. Be selective about your media consumption. News about covid19 will keep you in a heightened state of distress.
I have established a routine from the get-go – daily yoga and meditation practice, the workout of the day (WOD), teaching and taking online classes, and even cooking. But I still got hit. It happens to the best of us. Even I have to remind myself to stay present and in the moment to deal.
Weekly Kundalini Yoga classes over zoom (photo by Jenny Eizaguirre Taningco)
So, how to cope with cabin fever?
Easy, I allowed myself to step out. Not too far, and definitely not for too long – but just enough for that breath of fresh air. I walked to the farthest supermarket last Wednesday and it felt good. I got to move beyond the four walls of my flat and see the sun and talk to people face-to-face. It was a short walk but it instantly changed my feelings. I was able to eat and stayed up until 10:30 pm.
While we all know it, it needs to be said – we are not living in “normal” times.
Be kind, to yourselves and to the people that you’re with. While going inward and reflecting on things definitely help, sometimes we just need to stretch our legs and take a breath outside the confines of our home.
But again, be brief, but be mindful.
Take care always.
In loving service,
Rosan
