What Causes a Mental State of "Cabin Fever” & How to Tackle it Head On!
Winter. Cabin Fever Season.
Although "Cabin Fever" is not an official mental diagnosis, there is much evidence of it's effect on the mental state.
A mental state of Cabin Fever can be a mental lockdown of life.
According to ZocDoc.com:
There is definitely an association between the winter months and symptoms such as anxiety and depression. Historically, 'cabin fever' has referred to the symptoms of claustrophobia, stress, and anxiety that develop when someone has to stay inside for long periods of time without access to the outdoors. Although this is not a technical psychiatric diagnosis, it is a well recognized phenomenon.
Usually most sufferers of cabin fever experience relief if they can start spending more times outdoors, such as engaging in winter sports activities.
Another, more serious condition is something called seasonal affective disorder. This is a condition in which a person experiences symptoms of mood disruption, including depressive symptoms and, sometimes, anxiety as well, due to decreased exposure to sunlight during the dark winter months. This condition can result in pretty significant disturbance in social functioning, and it often does require treatment either with prescribed light therapy or with certain classes of anti depressant medications.
Although "Cabin Fever" is not an official mental diagnosis, there is much evidence of it's effect on the mental state.
A mental state of Cabin Fever can be a mental lockdown of life.
According to ZocDoc.com:
There is definitely an association between the winter months and symptoms such as anxiety and depression. Historically, 'cabin fever' has referred to the symptoms of claustrophobia, stress, and anxiety that develop when someone has to stay inside for long periods of time without access to the outdoors. Although this is not a technical psychiatric diagnosis, it is a well recognized phenomenon.
Usually most sufferers of cabin fever experience relief if they can start spending more times outdoors, such as engaging in winter sports activities.
Another, more serious condition is something called seasonal affective disorder. This is a condition in which a person experiences symptoms of mood disruption, including depressive symptoms and, sometimes, anxiety as well, due to decreased exposure to sunlight during the dark winter months. This condition can result in pretty significant disturbance in social functioning, and it often does require treatment either with prescribed light therapy or with certain classes of anti depressant medications.
People who experience it find routine to be as claustrophobic as four
walls and their lives feel so predictable that their
spirit suffers from feeling cooped up and constrained.
Emotions can fall prey to complaints, sighs, and cynicism. A growing weight of
unfulfilled promises. The weight of goals left unsought, or even avoided, and
the weight of excuses piling in one’s head.
And of course the potential accompanying physical weight of a sedentary lifestyle.
Cabin fever can lead to lack of physical activity. This is
the time most crucial to stay sharp, to stay focused, and active. Look to avoid
the sitting for long periods of time. Include time for stretching and moving
about the house. The great thing about any room with four walls is that it includes a floor. Do some push-ups and/or planks.
Take some time to not only go over your goals, but perhaps
add some new ones. Then take simple steps forward. No giant leaps necessary-just
put effort into breaking the stagnation of your life. You may see it will have
a ripple effect. This ripple effect will lead to more breaks, more
opportunities, and more satisfaction.
Like a diet, do this in moderation.
No longer will you feel walls in your mind closing in, but
rather those confining walls are now breaking down.
And you are free to move about the cabin.
See you in a stretch,
Your friends at Miracle Stretch®.
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