Search Here

After working long hours, it is tempting to stay home and feel cozy on a rainy Sunday afternoon. It starts great and relaxing, but it becomes dangerous when staying home for whatever reason becomes a habit. You then end up rejecting invites to social situations, you start neglecting errands and responsibilities, and before you know it, you have cabin fever.

While cabin fever manifests differently for everyone, it is often associated with anxiety and loneliness. Withdrawing from social activities may start as simply having time to yourself, but excessive isolation can lead to depression. In some cases, it works the other way around, where someone who is depressed ends up isolating themselves.

In any case, it can be difficult when it happens to a family or friend. Here are some ways to help them out.

Encourage having a healthy lifestyle

Encouraging someone to take care of themselves can be the first thing to do since they can do it from their home. That way, they do not have to immediately get out of their temporary comfort zone. You can start by bringing them a healthy meal or cooking one with them. 

Talk to them

It may be challenging to get someone to talk about their negative emotions, let alone their depression. This is especially true when it is someone close to you, and you've known them to be usually strong. Remember that talking to a loved one who has started to isolate themselves does not have to involve you giving advice. Most times, listening to them talk about how they are feeling is more than enough. 

Encourage them to go out

Again, this will be challenging, but encouraging them to go out will be good for them. There have been a lot of studies about how being outside helps improve mental health. Remember to let them take it easy and not invite them to go somewhere with many people and loud noise.