I’M JUST CURIOUS: Cabin fever can take on many looks

by Debbie Walker

How are you doing with your winter this year? I say this year because it is a little different than most. This year winter is following almost an entire year of isolation. Life has definitely been different than most years before it.

The winter months and the weather are usually the reason for some folks to experience cabin fever. Restlessness, irritability, and loneliness are all symptoms of cabin fever. Sound familiar? I believe it sounds familiar to a lot of people who experience a New England winter.

Even if you enjoy aspects of winter such as skiing, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, ice fishing, and ice skating, I doubt there are many who enjoy shoveling and driving on slippery roads. It brings its own stress.

Some will experience deeper bouts of cabin fever, actually consider the word depression. Don’t assume family and friends or your neighbors will know to reach out to you to help. If you are aware of what is going on, seek help.

Please keep in mind sometimes it is easy to help others. Maybe just a phone call every few days. Maybe offering to pick up things for someone who really needs to stay isolated due to severe health problems. We can all help someone and that will make us feel better, as well.

I know you still have restaurants that are closed or only open for take out meals. In a normal winter we can always get into conversations with other patrons of that type of business. There are usually interesting conversations and laughs. So many of our servers are the only friendly faces that some people experience in a day. I wonder how many folks had to learn how to make their own coffee!

Don’t forget the children. They have had to deal with the new experience as well. Children miss seeing their friends. Maybe they don’t understand why they can’t visit their friends or other family members. Why can’t we go to the movies? Watching a movie on TV is not like going to the latest cinema movie, they don’t understand why the movie house isn’t open.

School is at best, iffy for some. There are struggles to get these children a good education. Some families are able to be more help than others. It’s a shame but that is the reality. The teachers are limited as well, both in school and in virtual teaching.

Anyway…. I guess what I am asking for is kindness for yourself and others. And that is my two-cents worth on that subject.

Wait, no, I forgot. One more thing. It is winter, and your pets will be forever thankful if you will take a little extra time for them. Don’t assume that having a heavier winter fur coat means they are toasty warm and comfortable.

We are having some cold weather here, too. It’s been in the low 30s several mornings with more headed our way. Our winter days here are similar to your fall weather.

I’m just curious how you are doing with cabin fever. Contact me at DebbieWalker@townline.org with any questions or comments. Thank you for reading and have a wonderful week!