Cabin fever is a kind of physiological uneasiness... a feeling of restlessness and irritability that happens when we are stuck indoors, or are confined to a small place with many others. The angsty restlessness was a shared experience of millions of people last year during the lockdown months.

Cabin Fever

<ol><li> Autonomy: Choosing what we want to do by ourselves.</li><li>Competence: Experiencing the satisfaction of completing our aims, goals or desires.</li><li>Relatedness: Feeling connected to others.</li></ol>Being confined to a single place robs us of all our three basic psychological needs.

The Three Basic Psychological Needs

<ol><li>Structure your day so that there is some feeling of control.</li><li>Learn a new skill.</li><li>Stay in touch with your friends and loved ones.</li><li>Exercise regularly.</li><li>In case you skipped the previous point, exercise regularly.</li><li>Respect the space and privacy of others.</li><li>Go out and get some fresh air.</li></ol>

Take Care Of Your Psychological Wellbeing

‘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).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.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.Read more:<img src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/4/2021/01/BBC-ScienceFocus359-940x530px-7d6f0b0.jpg?quality=90&amp;resize=940,530" srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/4/2021/01/BBC-ScienceFocus359-940x530px-7d6f0b0.jpg?quality=90&amp;resize=720, https://www.sciencefocus.com/science/why-do-i-feel-angsty-and-cabin-fever-y-if-im-inside-for-more-than-a-few-hours/405 720w, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/4/2021/01/BBC-ScienceFocus359-940x530px-7d6f0b0.jpg?quality=90&amp;resize=576, https://www.sciencefocus.com/science/why-do-i-feel-angsty-and-cabin-fever-y-if-im-inside-for-more-than-a-few-hours/324 576w, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/4/2021/01/BBC-ScienceFocus359-940x530px-7d6f0b0.jpg?quality=90&amp;resize=360, https://www.sciencefocus.com/science/why-do-i-feel-angsty-and-cabin-fever-y-if-im-inside-for-more-than-a-few-hours/202 360w, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/4/2021/01/BBC-ScienceFocus359-940x530px-7d6f0b0.jpg?quality=90&amp;resize=180, https://www.sciencefocus.com/science/why-do-i-feel-angsty-and-cabin-fever-y-if-im-inside-for-more-than-a-few-hours/101 180w, " width="260" height="146" alt="BBC ScienceFocus359-940x530px" title="BBC ScienceFocus359-940x530px"><UL><LI>Pay by Direct Debit and get two issues free*</LI><LI>Receive every issue delivered direct to your door with FREE UK delivery</LI></UL>

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

health

Health

‘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).

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.

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.

<ul><li>Pay by Direct Debit and get two issues free* </li><li>Receive every issue delivered direct to your door with FREE UK delivery </li> </ul>

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

Cabin Fever

The Three Basic Psychological Needs

Take Care Of Your Psychological Wellbeing

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