<p>Cabin fever can be described as a feeling of <strong>restlessness and irritability when we are stuck indoors</strong>. </p>
<p>Confinement can frustrate what psychologists consider to be our three basic psychological needs: </p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Autonomy</strong> (choosing what we do)</li>
<li><strong>Competence</strong> (feeling like we&#39;re achieving our aims</li>
<li><strong>Relatedness</strong> (feeling connected to others)</li>
</ul>

Feeling stuck indoors

<ul>
<li>Try to structure your day so that you have some feelings of control. </li>
<li>Consider using the time to learn new skills.</li>
<li>Stay in touch with friends and family.</li>
<li>Exercise regularly.</li>
<li>Respect the privacy and space of those you live with.</li>
<li>Get some fresh air.</li>
</ul>

Ways to reduce cabin fever

mindfulness

Mindfulness

meditation

Meditation

podcasts

Podcasts

videos

Videos

<ul><li><a href="#main-content">Skip to Main Content </a> </li><li><a href="#main-nav">Skip to Main Navigation </a> </li><li><a href="#site-footer">Skip to Footer </a> </li> </ul>

<ol><li><a href="https://www.sciencefocus.com"><span>Home </span> </a><meta/> </li><li><span> </span><a href="https://www.sciencefocus.com/science/"><span>Everyday science </span> </a><meta/> </li><li><span> </span><span>Why do I feel angsty and cabin fever-y if I’m inside for more than a few hours? </span> </li> </ol>

Why do I feel angsty and cabin fever-y if I’m inside for more than a few hours?

<p><a href="https://www.buysubscriptions.com/print/bbc-science-focus-magazine-subscription?promo=SFWEB356&amp;utm_medium=brandsite&amp;utm_source=sciencefocus.com&amp;utm_campaign=save52_SFWEB356&amp;utm_content=editorial-link&amp;style=brand">Save 52% when you subscribe to <em>BBC Science Focus Magazine </em> </a> </p>

<p>In the words of Freddie Mercury, I’ve ‘just gotta get out, just gotta get right outta here’. </p>

<p>By <span><a href="https://www.sciencefocus.com/author/christianjarrett/">Christian Jarrett </a> </span> </p>

<ul><li><a href="http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sciencefocus.com%2Fscience%2Fwhy-do-i-feel-angsty-and-cabin-fever-y-if-im-inside-for-more-than-a-few-hours%2F"><span><i><span>Share on Facebook </span><svg> </svg> </i> </span> </a> </li><li><a href="https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Why%20do%20I%20feel%20angsty%20and%20cabin%20fever-y%20if%20I%E2%80%99m%20inside%20for%20more%20than%20a%20few%20hours%3F%20%40sciencefocus%0A%0A&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sciencefocus.com%2Fscience%2Fwhy-do-i-feel-angsty-and-cabin-fever-y-if-im-inside-for-more-than-a-few-hours%2F"><span><i><span>Share on Twitter </span><svg> </svg> </i> </span> </a> </li><li><a href="whatsapp://send?text=%22Why do I feel angsty and cabin fever-y if I’m inside for more than a few hours?%22%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sciencefocus.com%2Fscience%2Fwhy-do-i-feel-angsty-and-cabin-fever-y-if-im-inside-for-more-than-a-few-hours%2F"><span><i><span>Share on Whatsapp </span><svg> </svg> </i> </span> </a> </li><li><a href="https://www.reddit.com/submit?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sciencefocus.com%2Fscience%2Fwhy-do-i-feel-angsty-and-cabin-fever-y-if-im-inside-for-more-than-a-few-hours%2F&amp;title=Why do I feel angsty and cabin fever-y if I’m inside for more than a few hours?"><span><i><span>Share on Reddit </span><svg> </svg> </i> </span> </a> </li><li><a href="mailto:?subject=Wow - look at this Why do I feel angsty and cabin fever-y if I’m inside for more than a few hours?&amp;body=This is amazing... In the words of Freddie Mercury, I’ve ‘just gotta get out, just gotta get right outta here’.%0A%0Ahttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.sciencefocus.com%2Fscience%2Fwhy-do-i-feel-angsty-and-cabin-fever-y-if-im-inside-for-more-than-a-few-hours%2F%0A"><span><i><span>Email to a friend </span><svg> </svg> </i> </span> </a> </li> </ul>

<p>‘Cabin fever’ isn’t a formal psychological term, but it describes the feelings of restlessness and irritability that many of us experience when stuck indoors, especially during the recent lockdown months. This angsty frustration is quite understandable, as confinement can thwart what many psychologists consider to be our three basic psychological needs: ‘autonomy’ (choosing what we do), ‘competence’ (feeling like we’re achieving our aims, for example by mastering skills and situations, which is tricky when you can’t go out), and ‘relatedness’ (feeling connected to others). </p>

<p>Potentially compounding matters is the loss of opportunity for physical exercise, fresh air and sunlight, which are all good for our bodily and psychological wellbeing. If you’re stuck on your own, loneliness is another obvious risk; on the other hand, excessive time in close quarters with housemates, partners, siblings or parents can lead to rising tensions. </p>

<p>Thankfully, these sources of angst also point to ways to reduce it. Try to structure each day so that you have some feelings of control, consider using the time as a chance to learn new skills, and be sure to stay in touch with absent friends and family via phone or video call. Also, exercise regularly if you can, and respect the privacy and space of those you live with. Finally, if you have the luxury of a garden or balcony, don’t forget to get some fresh air. </p>

<ul><li><a href="https://www.sciencefocus.com/the-human-body/why-do-i-always-get-an-energy-crash-in-the-afternoon/">Why do I always get an energy crash in the afternoon? </a> </li><li><a href="https://www.sciencefocus.com/the-human-body/why-do-i-feel-sick-when-im-hungry/">Why do I feel sick when I’m hungry? </a> </li><li><a href="https://www.sciencefocus.com/the-human-body/why-do-i-produce-so-much-saliva-when-i-go-for-a-run/">Why do I produce so much saliva when I go for a run? </a> </li><li><a href="https://www.sciencefocus.com/the-human-body/why-does-drinking-alcohol-trigger-my-anxiety/">Why does drinking alcohol trigger my anxiety? </a> </li> </ul>

<ul><li><a href="https://www.sciencefocus.com/tag/health/">Health </a> </li><li><a href="https://www.sciencefocus.com/tag/psychology/">Psychology </a> </li><li><a href="https://www.sciencefocus.com/tag/qanda/">Q&amp;A </a> </li> </ul>

<ul><li>Pay by Direct Debit and get 52% off an annual subscription* </li><li>Receive every issue delivered direct to your door with FREE UK delivery </li> </ul>

Should I be worried if I don’t do 10,000 steps a day?

Madagascan fossil ‘turns bird evolutionary anatomy on its head’

I’d love to treat myself to a gel manicure, but are they bad for me?

Could we eradicate the common cold if everyone self-isolated?

Why does it feel strange to walk up a non-working escalator?

Can carrot cake give me one of my five-a-day?

<p>Save 52% when you subscribe to <em>BBC Science Focus Magazine </em> </p>

<p>Discover our latest special editions covering a range of fascinating topics from the latest scientific discoveries to the big ideas explained. </p>

<p>Listen to some of the brightest names in science and technology talk about the ideas and breakthroughs shaping our world. </p>

Get our daily LUNCHTIME GENIUS newsletter

<p>Our daily newsletter arrives just in time for lunch, offering up the day's biggest science news, our latest features, amazing Q&amp;As and insightful interviews. PLUS a free mini-magazine for you to download and keep. </p>

<p>Thanks! Look out for your Lunchtime Genius newsletter in your inbox soon. </p>

<p>Already have an account with us? Sign in to manage your newsletter preferences </p>

<p>By clicking “sign up” you are agreeing to our <a href="https://www.immediate.co.uk/terms-and-conditions/">terms and conditions </a>and <a href="https://policies.immediate.co.uk/privacy/">privacy policy </a>. You can unsubscribe at any time. For more information about how to do this, and how Immediate Media Company Limited (publisher of Science Focus) holds your personal information, please see our <a href="https://policies.immediate.co.uk/privacy/">privacy policy </a>. </p>

<ul><li><a href="https://www.facebook.com/sciencefocus"><i><span>Visit us on Facebook </span><svg> </svg> </i> </a> </li><li><a href="http://uk.pinterest.com/ScienceFocus"><i><span>Visit us on Pinterest </span><svg> </svg> </i> </a> </li><li><a href="https://twitter.com/@sciencefocus"><i><span>Visit us on Twitter </span><svg> </svg> </i> </a> </li><li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCS0P18FM3wfcKIS7Asy6cUQ"><i><span>Visit us on YouTube </span><svg> </svg> </i> </a> </li><li><a href="https://www.instagram.com/bbcsciencefocus"><i><span>Visit us on Instagram </span><svg> </svg> </i> </a> </li><li><a href="/feed/atom/"><i><span>Subscribe to our RSS feed </span><svg> </svg> </i> </a> </li> </ul>

<ul><li><a href="https://www.immediate.co.uk/terms-and-conditions/">Terms &amp; Conditions </a> </li><li><a href="https://policies.immediate.co.uk/privacy/">Privacy policy </a> </li><li><a href="https://policies.immediate.co.uk/cookies-policy/">Cookies policy </a> </li><li><a href="http://www.immediate.co.uk/code-of-conduct/">Code of conduct </a> </li><li><a href="http://www.immediate.co.uk/licensing-and-syndication/">Licensing </a> </li><li><a href="https://www.buysubscriptions.com/?utm_medium=brandsite&amp;utm_source=sciencefocus.com&amp;utm_campaign=company-footer-link&amp;utm_content=corporate-footer">Magazine subscriptions </a> </li><li><a href="https://www.sciencefocus.com/contact/">Contact Us </a> </li><li><a href="#">Manage cookies </a> </li> </ul>

Why do I feel angsty and cabin fever-y if I’m inside for more than a few hours? - BBC Science Focus Magazine

Feeling stuck indoors

Ways to reduce cabin fever

CURATED BY

Related collections

More like this