Live data from Hacker News

Ask YC: Dealing with cabin fever

news.ycombinator.com

1–10 of 27 posts

Ask YC: Dealing with cabin fever

#1
I work and sleep in my apartment and I've noticed that I'm starting to get the desire to get up and go somewhere... Anywhere really.

It's a fairly large and comfortable apartment, and I'm not unhappy been here. So, how do you people deal with cabin fever?

Re: Ask YC: Dealing with cabin fever

#2
I go buy some fresh food/vegetables at the store every day, at the very least. Initially, my wife didn't get why I went shopping every day "just go once and get more stuff!", but then she figured out that it's the only time I get out of the house and doesn't mind. It's nice to have fresh stuff in terms of fruit and vegetables and we waste less because I only buy what we need.

Some actual exercise and/or interaction with other people is probably better though - during the summer I got out mountain biking pretty often.

Re: Ask YC: Dealing with cabin fever

#3
Grab your laptop and head to the nearest Starbucks or coffee shop. I find I need to constantly change locations at least every four hours to keep productive and prevent my mind from going "stale". Thank god I work at a university where I can just hop around from the library to other common areas.

Try changing where you usually sit and work in your apartment. I sit in all kinds of weird places. My new favorite place is on top of my desk. Don't knock it until you try it.

Re: Ask YC: Dealing with cabin fever

#4
Our "company" works out of a house and we rarely get out, but we always make sure that we go to the YMCA at night (while there everyone splits up to do their thing).

Aside from that, we make sure that we know what needs to get done because if you're focused on the task at hand, the days go by faster.

Re: Ask YC: Dealing with cabin fever

#5
I used to have the same problem and tried a lot of the things mentioned here, but nothing helped.

Then it took me the longest time to realize that when I "started to get the desire to get up and go somewhere", that was a clear signal from deep inside me that something was wrong.

This may sound kind of weird, but my project is my baby and I'm in love with it. Why would I ever want to be somewhere else? Because either a) I'm burnt out or b) Something is wrong with what I'm currently doing.

If it's (a), get out and exercise, socialize, etc.

But if it's (b), stop and take a good look at what you're currently doing. Maybe your "inner hacker" knows it's not right.

Re: Ask YC: Dealing with cabin fever

#7

Grab your laptop and head to the nearest Starbucks or coffee shop. I find I need to constantly change locations at least every four hours to keep productive and prevent my mind from going "stale". Thank god I work at a university where I can just hop around from the library to other common areas. Try changing where you usually sit and work in your apartment. I sit in all kinds of weird places. My new favorite place i…

The GTD crowd would hate this! lol.

I'm not as mobile as you, but I sit on the couch and work every once in a while.

It helps me to just put it away at times like lunch and dinner. (I'm in ohio, so the 'outside' options are limited right now)

Post reply on HN