The Best Way To Combat Cabin Fever in Your Home
Feeling restless, irritable, or bored while you’re stuck inside this winter? Cambridge Dictionary defines what you may be feeling as cabin fever.
It happens to me every single year – right around this time.
According to Google, February 2nd, which is Groundhog Day, is the official halfway point of winter. Sunny spring days can’t get here fast enough!
I always enjoy the cozy winter vibe in my home after all of the Christmas decor has been taken down and put away, but that only lasts for about a week for me and then I’m ready for warm weather and blooming flowers.
So far this winter, we’ve been fortunate to not have any ice storms, which are common in my neck of the woods (although I wouldn’t mind some snow!).
But, even so, it’s this time of year that I always begin to wonder if the dreary days of winter will ever end and if spring will ever arrive!
I honestly don’t think I’d mind winter so much if the trees weren’t bare of all their leaves. I miss all of the green!
I know in my heart that spring is just over the horizon, so even though it isn’t here quite yet, there are some small things that I can do in my own home to help me “survive” the remaining days of winter that seem to drag on forever.
Tip #1: Bring the outside in.
Whether real, artificial, or dried, adding just a few flowers or greenery to your home will say instant spring! I love to sprinkle a little something that’s green or blooming around all of the rooms in my house.
The live plants, that I added to my family room a year ago and other areas, are a welcome sight this time of year!
In addition to live plants, fresh flowers from the grocery store, real or artificial boxwood anything and dried hydrangeas are a few of my favorites.
Tip #2: Bring in natural light.
As long as the sun is shining, I almost, almost don’t care how cold it is outside. I absolutely crave the sun this time of year.
I try to take advantage of those few sunny winter days, by throwing open those curtains and blinds and letting the sun pour into the house.
Even better – I’ll get an instant mood lifter, by actually spending some time sitting in front of one of those warm and sunny windows!
Tip #3: Add cheery color to your decor.
Yes, darker colors can make a room feel cozy, but if you’re combating the winter doldrums, adding a few bright pops of color to your home will create the feeling of lightness that we all associate with spring.
Color can easily be added with throw pillows, accessories, throws, or even colorful artwork. You just might be surprised what a mood-lifter a little color can be!
Thankfully, for those of us who crave the warmer weather, winter doesn’t last forever! I hope these simple tips will help to get you through until spring finally arrives.
All great ideas! The sun is out today…and even though there is snow on the ground….it’s a psychological lift! I’ve been taking extra good care of my plants…refreshing them, repotting…I need to dig in the dirt! 😉
I love your ideas for surviving dreary winter days!
That’s what I need, some flowers. Lol
We had a tase of Spring for the last days in VA. Today back to Winter. Thanks for your tips!!
I especially love those dried hydrangeas above your buffet! Hydrangeas make me smile any time of year!
Thanks for the great ideas and inspiration.
Thanks for the tips. The winter months are so long up here in the north and sooo grey. It’s hard to get motivated. I’m going to try a couple of your suggestions.
Hydrangeas are my year round favorite…can’t get enough!
Your suggestions bring Spring so much closer…
Great ideas
Suzy – You are so right! I put away the Christmas décor and to avoid the house looking so bare, I leave some winter “seasonal” pine and a snowman or two. I leave just enough to transition to Valentine’s Day and then on to Spring! But, our temps here in the Northeast have been in the 50’s and even reached 65 degrees one day in early February. My heart sang! I went outside and walked along the yard looking for signs of Spring, enjoying the sunshine and being outdoors. Alas, my snowmen looked so out of place – but a fickle girl, Miss Winter is. I resisted the urge to get out tulips and birds’ nests. Today, we have four inches of snow on the ground. And those winter greens and snowmen look just fine!
It does look closer to spring in the Worthing Court Manor… Really starting to like the blue/green combination. Blue flowers and mason jars and green box woods. Great touches!!
I love all your touches it makes it personal and cozy.
Great ideas!!!! Thanks!
You make some great suggestions. One thing I would do differently though is instead of sitting in front of that sunny wondow i would take a walk – even if it were just around the yard.
More great ideas, Suzy! PS? Is there a tutorial on how you made your wall sconce plaques?
I hope I’m not butting in where I’m not supposed to… If you do a search on “lantern”, the tutorial is the second listed. http://www.worthingcourtblog.com/diy-hanging-lantern-tutorial/
Hi Ruth. Here’s the link for the tutorial for the hanging lantern “scones”: http://www.worthingcourtblog.com/diy-hanging-lantern-tutorial/
Excellent ideas. I need to find me a boxwood wreath that doesn’t look phony! Your breakfast room is to die for! But I’ve said that numerous times on here, lol!
Great ideas. Adding flowers to my shopping list. Like how you mix painted accessories with your wood furniture.
I feel the xact same way, sort of pacing myself through winter, expecting lots of rain today. I agree with the commenter above…love mixing painted and wood pieces!
So Cal has had an unusual amount of rain this winter. I was surprised when I realized that an entire week of cloudy, rainy weather drained my energy! I love your style!
I’m definitely ready for Spring here! We’ve had some warmer spring-like weather the last few days, but today Winter is back and no snow to justify the cold. I think I will pull out my spring floral arrangements to help with my blah, over it feelings. Thank you for the advice!