Life & home design to kick cabin fever
Quarantine or not, we’re all spending more time at home. Here’s how to deal for the foreseeable future
Text: Tiff H
Been out much lately? Of course you haven’t. We’re all pulling together and following the rules by staying home in a bid to beat the pandemic. But in between watching Crash Landing On You and baking banana bread, feelings of claustrophobia and restlessness have set in for many. According to Google, searches for ‘cabin fever’ spiked worldwide during 22–28 March 2020. Here in Singapore, the spike coincided with the beginning of circuit breaker on 7 April 2020.
So, what’s the deal with cabin fever? Does it refer to the itch for international travel in the face of banned border-crossing? The more visceral emotion of feeling trapped in your abode? Or the feeling that you’re constantly on the verge of losing your temper (with your boss, your partner, your pot plant)? We speak to experts to delve a deeper into the quarantine-induced phenomenon.
What is cabin fever?
Adrienne Sng, Director of Clinical Services at Boys’ Town, explains: “Cabin fever refers to the cycle of negative and distressing emotions experienced by individuals as a result of being isolated or feeling ‘cut off’ from society at large.” Cabin fever is not a specific diagnosis, but rather a constellation of symptoms that can occur. Indeed, says Adrienne, “the term is popularly used as an expression to describe the extreme boredom individuals feel because they are ‘stuck’ at home.”
Who does cabin fever affect the most?
According to Vaile Wright, a psychologist and director of clinical research and quality at the American Psychological Association, those who are highly social may be more prone to cabin fever than those who enjoy spending time alone. Additionally, factors such as the quality of family relationships, the presence of other stressors and the adaptability of the individual play a part.
Adrienne also shares that while those with existing mental health issues can be more susceptible to experiencing distress as a result of cabin fever, she found — through her supervision of calls to the National Care Hotline — that people with no pre-existing mental health conditions were not immune either.
What are the symptoms?
As social beings, chronic isolation triggers a decrease in the size of the hippocampus, the brain region related to learning, memory and spatial awareness. Simultaneously, the amygdala — the area mediating fear and anxiety — increases its activity in response to isolation.
It is no wonder therefore that the symptoms of cabin fever include stress, restlessness, impatience, being easily agitated or highly irritable, lethargy, decreased motivation, persistent sadness, low moods, having a sense of hopelessness, mistrust of people, poor concentration, poor sleep hygiene, food cravings and weight changes.
While experts are hesitant to label cabin fever as a disorder, extreme cases can lead to depression, seasonal affective disorder, or claustrophobia.
How can we protect our mental health?
Our living space has the potential to deteriorate our mental health, now more than ever given the amount of time we’re there. According to Joseph R. Ferrari (and quite possibly Marie Kondo!), a messy environment can stimulate the release of cortisol, the hormone that triggers stress. Additionally, Ben Channon, author of Happy by Design: A Guide to Architecture and Mental Wellbeing, highlights the importance of understanding the relationship between our emotions and our environment.
We spoke to Piya Thamchariyawat, Principal and Creative Director at EDG Design, about her 14-day quarantine at a dedicated hotel in Singapore. While the participating hotels include five-star establishments, those serving their quarantine are unable to leave their rooms.
“I returned to Singapore from the US with many ongoing work projects, so I was extremely busy. I was also very fortunate to have a balcony in my room — perhaps the most coveted asset in a mandatory hotel quarantine.”
For Piya, having access to a balcony made all the difference as it ensured a connection to nature with plenty of natural light and a great view. Other design tweaks she craved were higher ceilings and natural and tactile materials such as wood or natural fibres.
While Adrienne acknowledges the importance of a positive living environment, she also points out that the effective usage of your space is key. “Having a safe space and the idea of control over your living environment are important. Equally as important is knowing how to use your space effectively. You need to make it conducive for daily living, yet also balanced with sufficient social connectedness.”
Coping strategies when living and working from home
There are some simple changes you can make to your living space to limit cabin fever's psychological, physical and behavioural impact. Here, Adrienne shares her tips:
Set appropriate workspaces and keep to your work area boundaries when at home
Negotiate the time for the use of space if you’re sharing it with others
Declutter to create liveable and workspace
Keep to your work schedule
Have sufficient social conversations apart from work-related ones
Maintain social contact with friends, colleagues and family
Have a hobby or explore a new activity to help reduce the mundane
Get a change of scenery by immersing in nature or going for a walk
Seek professional help when feeling distressed. Read about local counselling and psychological services here
Adrienne Sng is the Director of Clinical Services at Boys’ Town. She is a mental health clinician, a Singapore Registered Psychologist, NCSS Social Service Fellow and also sits on the Board of New Life Community Services.
Piya Thamchariyawat is a Principal and Creative Director at EDG Design, directing design for projects in the Middle East, Asia and Australasia.
