Based solely on the Merriam-Webster dictionary definition, it feels like a fair share of us have a bad case of cabin fever: “Extreme irritability and restlessness from living in isolation or a confined indoor area for a prolonged time.”
Sound familiar? Bickering and squabbling, aggravation and frustration, a sudden urge to snap your snow shovel in half or fling yourself down in the middle of your driveway and have a full-fledged temper tantrum like a toddler with spaghetti legs?
Cabin fever may not be an official diagnosable condition but its symptoms certainly seem legitimate.
What’s the cure? Time and patience. The days are getting longer and there are hints of warmer weather. Seeing water running down the gutter this week made me unreasonably happy. I’m reminding myself every day is one day closer to spring — not false spring, or fool’s spring, and not partially frozen mud season — real spring. The scent of lilacs in bloom, dandelions and daffodils, green grass and bright new leaves on the trees, birds chirping and my car not warning me “roads may be icy” when it’s sitting in six inches of snow.
In the meantime, knowing winter will extend its visit as long as possible (much like Cousin Eddie and his motorhome in “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation”) what can we do to alleviate these symptoms? Be kind. Be patient. Don’t overreact. And if you aren’t irritable and restless, remember that others may be extra sensitive to winter woes. They’ll likely return to normal programming soon, so if you live or work with them, cut them some slack. Heck, cut yourself some slack.
And if you need a chuckle and a catchy earworm while you watch someone have a meltdown in the checkout aisle, go watch Muppet Treasure Island’s musical depiction of the malady here: https://youtu.be/cmQwL6qiByo. (I think I recognize a few of you… ahem… us.)
By NIKI TURNER – editor@editorht1885.com
