Finding an antidote to cabin fever
Feeling like the walls are closing in on you?
We’re living in a surreal time: the line between work and home has blurred, while life has taken on a timelessness, without the structure of rigid deadlines or places to get to by a certain time.
“While students may have wished for exams to be over or mid-term break to arrive, now that we have an extended break no-one is really happy. Students miss their friends and the social aspect of college, employees miss working with their colleagues their teams and of course, the common kitchen coffee breaks! You may be feeling demotivated caused by feelings of cabin fever,” says Natalie Rabson, Wellness and Education Counsellor at Boston City Campus who recommends the following:
- Avoiding overwhelm
Like Lockdown, tertiary studies are overwhelming. Therefore the Boston premise of having a timetable is a way to overcome this. Head of Institution Dr Hendrik Botha created a day by day and page by page schedule for students to follow. Create this for yourself, whether as a student or as an employee. Schedule tasks in individual chunks, and in confined spaces of time, so that you can see that it is manageable. Rather than thinking of the big picture, take each task one step at a time.
- Find opportunities to connect
“We may be isolated, but we don’t need to feel alone,” says Natalie. “As the Lockdown started Boston held an online and free concert with Holly Rey, the intention was to show South Africans that we are in this together. As the hash tag says #TogetherApart. Find ways to connect with other people, such as online study groups, book clubs or co-working spaces.
- Keep your mind active
Not everyone is able to easily work from home. This makes lockdown and ideal opportunity for those who don’t always have the opportunity to study, to use this time to learn a new skill or a formal qualification from online educational institution Boston. Keeping your mind busy with new information will help you reset your goals, update your CV and motivate you to achieve something that will be valuable to both you and an employer when the Lockdown is over.
- Unplug
The latest stats on how many have been infected and which politician said what will only make you more anxious. Catch up once a day, and then unplug! Focus on your new course, your studies, or investigate fourth IR skills available on websites such as Boston Connect. Give yourself time away from the news and social media to avoid being consumed by the lead story of the pandemic which creates anxiety.
- Well-being
Not feeling motivated on your own? Make a set time to virtually connect and have a combined workout session! This is an ideal way to keep yourself accountable by having a dedicated time where you do physical exercise – even in the confines of your home.
This is a time to look after your mind too with personal development via Boston Connect.
- Control what you can
Having a sense of control brings a sense of security, especially the uncertainty of our future in terms of our jobs, companies and economy. “By implementing a daily routine, such as following a study or work timetable, we can bring a sense of control to our lives in these unprecedented times, which will reduce anxiety,” says Natalie.
- The situation is temporary
Keep in mind that although we don’t know the exact amount of time it’s going to take to go back to regular life, this is a temporary situation. Make a conscious goal of work, studies and family connections, giving yourself something to look forward to, and keeping in mind that “This too shall pass.”
- Remember your why
German philosopher, Friedrich Nietzsche said, “ He who has a why to live can bear almost any how.”
“Remember your WHY. Why are we all doing lockdown? We’re protecting ourselves, our loved ones, friends and our fellow South Africans. So commit to this goal as well – we are all in this together,” concludes Natalie.
