Avoid Cabin Fever During Winter in Alaska

The long winters in Alaska can bring on serious bouts of cabin fever. The days shorten to four hours, the temperature can dip to 40 below, and there is a constant landscape of snow during winter in Alaska. "Hope you like the indoors" is what many Alaskan residents will say when winter is around the corner. And many people will stay indoors as long as winter is around, giving in to the symptoms of cabin fever: boredom, being withdrawn, a change in sleep cycles, and irritability. Cabin fever effects every one in Alaska at some point and can lead into Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) or other problems if not addressed.

There are ways to avoid cabin fever in Alaska. Although it seems as if most of the population of Alaska stays shut in during the winter months, there are some people that go into town and enjoy the winter. Those people are taking a simple step in avoiding cabin fever. Being inactive is the worst thing to do during the winter in Alaska, even though it may seem like the only option. Here are some ways to avoid the onset of cabin fever during winter in Alaska.

Avoid Cabin Fever Tip #1: Go Shopping
Shopping is a great way to break the daily winter routine and avoid cabin fever. Purchasing anything is not required. Just getting out of the house for a little bit to look at merchandise-clothes, shoes, books- will relieve the boredom that comes with cabin fever.

Avoid Cabin Fever Tip #2: Take A Walk
It will be cold, so bundle up! But a nice 30 minute walk outside will give you a breath of fresh air and a daily does of natural light. The air and natural light will raise your serotonin levels, making you more happy and less likely to be irritable and screw up your sleep cycle.

Avoid Cabin Fever Tip #3: Exercise
Whether it's with a WiiFit or at a local gym, staying active during the winter will give an immediate boost to your brain and body. Exercise will release all the chemicals from your brain that you need to stay happy. You'll generally feel better and sleep better, and you'll keep the dreaded winter weight off.

Avoid Cabin Fever Tip #4: Avoid Drinking Alcohol
There is no problem with a drink here and there, but excessive drinking is often a problem associated with cabin fever. Alcohol may make the time go by faster, but it is still a depressant and won't get rid of the symptoms of cabin fever. You actually may end up feeling worse.

Avoid Cabin Fever Tip #5: Learn Something New
Take a class at a University of Alaska campus. Not only will you be getting out of the house, you'll have a goal in mind. You don't need to be a college student to attend, the University of Alaska has non-degree and lifetime learning programs. If classes are not an option, learn how to do something new. Crocheting could come in handy; you can make yourself more hats and gloves to combat the cold. The idea is to just learn something new to avoid feeling like you have long amounts of time to do nothing.

Avoid Cabin Fever Tip #6: Have An Alaskan Outdoor Adventure
This can encompass the previous tips all in one. If you're daring enough, go for a ride on a snowmachining, go snowshoeing, or even visit a dog team kennel and go on a dog run. The activities will help combat the symptoms of cabin fever and you may have fun.

Avoiding cabin fever during the winter in Alaska isn't hard. All you need to remember is to stay active, stay social, and don't stay indoors all winter. It's too long of a winter to stay shut in and cabin fever isn't very fun.

　

Sources:
http://www.alaska.net/~mhaa/factsheets/reprint/reprint2.html