Monday
Feb082010
Fight Cabin Fever
According to Wikipedia.com, cabin fever is an idiomatic term for a claustrophobic reaction that takes place when a person or group is isolated and/or shut in, in a small space, with nothing to do, for an extended period (as in a simple country vacation cottage during a long rain or snow). Symptoms include restlessness, irritability, forgetfulness, excessive sleeping, and an urge to go outside even in the rain, snow or dark.
If you live anywhere that's been hit by blizzard conditions this winter, you know the feeling. On days when the weather is bleak, I always get sleepy and wish I could stay in bed. There have been a lot of those days lately.
I've decided, whent that feeling hits, to take the opposite approach. I get active. There are lots of things that need doing in the house. We all have home improvement task lists... some large tasks, some small.
Take the following steps to be prepared to use "cabin fever" time wisely:
1) Make a real list (written down on paper or your computer) of everything, little or big, that needs doing in your house: touch up paint, regrout tile, caulk bathtub, wax floors, paint moulding, clean out basement or attic, organize closets, hang a picture, fix a cabinet... anything and everything.
2) Next, make sure you have the tools and supplies needed to get these tasks done. Make a list of what is needed. Schedule a trip to your local home improvement store to buy all the necessary items. Store them in the basement or attic in a box marked "home improvement tasks" or "cabin fever".
The next time you get "snowed in", you'll have everything you need to make it a productive day. Put your favorite music on, pull out your box and start crossing things off of your to-do list.
Every cloud really does have a silver lining.
Monday, February 8, 2010 at 6:41PM
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Reader Comments (1)
Great ideas! I always keep a running list of home chores that need to be done whenever I can find a few free minutes. Once I get into the groove, I can knock out a lot of projects in just a little time.