Cabin fever is real and may never be more evident than
during this quarantine period brought on by the coronavirus. There’s only so
much Netflix anyone can watch, which is why it’s important to find other things
to do during quarantine.
While there are many ways to beat cabin fever, with the rule
to keep six feet between us, the list starts getting smaller. One way to adhere
to the six-foot mandate and stay sane is by interacting with nature on the
small scale. I don’t mean you should be going to a National Park and hiking
(some are closed anyway) but, instead, try growing some plants to beat those
quarantine blues.
Ways to Beat Cabin Fever
Many people are working from home and the terms ‘social
distancing’ and ‘shelter in place’ are no longer abstract which has many
people, even a self-described introvert like myself, desperate for human
contact and, frankly, bored out of their gourds.
How do we combat these feelings of solitude and boredom?
Social media or face-timing are ways to interact with our friends and families,
but we need to get outside and stay sane with nature too. Enjoying nature in
isolation gives a positive mental and even physical boost and can help to beat
those quarantine blues.
Walking, running and biking are all ways to enjoy nature in
isolation as long as you can maintain your distance from other people. In some
areas, population density is such that this becomes an impossibility, which
means doing so can actually put other people at risk.
What can you do to maintain your distance and adhere to the
quarantine without going nuts? Get planting.
Plants for Quarantine Blues
Since this is all happening at the beginning of spring, temperatures
are warming up in most areas and it’s time to get out into the garden. If you
haven’t already, now is a great time to start your veggie and flower seeds,
either indoors or out. It’s also a good time to clean up any winter detritus,
prune perennials and trees that are still dormant, build paths or garden beds,
and other gardening chores.
Now is a great time to add some raised
beds to the landscape or create a new bed for roses,
succulents,
native
plants or an English
cottage garden.
Other ways to beat cabin fever by growing plants is to add
some easy-care
houseplants, make a succulent wreath for hanging, make
a terrarium, or plant colorful annuals and summer bulbs in containers.
Stay Sane with Nature
Many cities have extensive green spaces where that six-foot
between people can be adhered to. These areas are a real treasure to both kids
and adults. They make great respites from being indoors and allow kids to
observe bugs and birds while engaging in fun activities, like a nature
treasure hunt.
Farther afield, a short road trip away, there may be a road
less traveled that leads to your personal Shangri-La, a place fairly devoid of
people to hike and explore. For those who live near the coast, the beach and
sea hold unparalleled adventures sure to beat anyone’s cabin fever.
At this juncture, enjoying the great outdoors is a safe way
to beat those quarantine blues provided we all follow the rules. Practice
social distancing and stay at least six feet away from others to minimize the
spread of this virus.
Cabin fever is real and may never be more evident than
during this quarantine period brought on by the coronavirus. There’s only so
much Netflix anyone can watch, which is why it’s important to find other things
to do during quarantine.
While there are many ways to beat cabin fever, with the rule
to keep six feet between us, the list starts getting smaller. One way to adhere
to the six-foot mandate and stay sane is by interacting with nature on the
small scale. I don’t mean you should be going to a National Park and hiking
(some are closed anyway) but, instead, try growing some plants to beat those
quarantine blues.
Ways to Beat Cabin Fever
Many people are working from home and the terms ‘social
distancing’ and ‘shelter in place’ are no longer abstract which has many
people, even a self-described introvert like myself, desperate for human
contact and, frankly, bored out of their gourds.
How do we combat these feelings of solitude and boredom?
Social media or face-timing are ways to interact with our friends and families,
but we need to get outside and stay sane with nature too. Enjoying nature in
isolation gives a positive mental and even physical boost and can help to beat
those quarantine blues.
Walking, running and biking are all ways to enjoy nature in
isolation as long as you can maintain your distance from other people. In some
areas, population density is such that this becomes an impossibility, which
means doing so can actually put other people at risk.
What can you do to maintain your distance and adhere to the
quarantine without going nuts? Get planting.
Plants for Quarantine Blues
Since this is all happening at the beginning of spring, temperatures
are warming up in most areas and it’s time to get out into the garden. If you
haven’t already, now is a great time to start your veggie and flower seeds,
either indoors or out. It’s also a good time to clean up any winter detritus,
prune perennials and trees that are still dormant, build paths or garden beds,
and other gardening chores.
Now is a great time to add some raised
beds to the landscape or create a new bed for roses,
succulents,
native
plants or an English
cottage garden.
Other ways to beat cabin fever by growing plants is to add
some easy-care
houseplants, make a succulent wreath for hanging, make
a terrarium, or plant colorful annuals and summer bulbs in containers.
Stay Sane with Nature
Many cities have extensive green spaces where that six-foot
between people can be adhered to. These areas are a real treasure to both kids
and adults. They make great respites from being indoors and allow kids to
observe bugs and birds while engaging in fun activities, like a nature
treasure hunt.
Farther afield, a short road trip away, there may be a road
less traveled that leads to your personal Shangri-La, a place fairly devoid of
people to hike and explore. For those who live near the coast, the beach and
sea hold unparalleled adventures sure to beat anyone’s cabin fever.
At this juncture, enjoying the great outdoors is a safe way
to beat those quarantine blues provided we all follow the rules. Practice
social distancing and stay at least six feet away from others to minimize the
spread of this virus.