This Coronavirus pandemic labelled as COVID-19 is now affecting the citizens of most countries around the world. The virus is highly infective and for some it is deadly. The resulting pandemic is causing a disastrous downturn in all national economies. We are all faced with a very different way of living.
How Long Will This Coronavirus Pandemic Last?
The key uncertainty for every one of us is just how long we will be affected by the pandemic. The medical experts suggest that the only solution will be when a vaccine has been developed but this may take 12 to 18 months. Until that time, the best advice seems to be to self-isolate or at least to maintain social distancing. For most of us, that is most unnatural and distressing.
What Exactly Is Cabin Fever?
If we must stay away from others for any length of time, this induces a condition called cabin fever. You will find several articles on this at the end of this blog post. Here is how one of these describes the cabin fever condition.
Cabin fever involves a range of negative emotions and distress related to restricted movement: irritability, boredom, some hopelessness and even, behaviorally, restlessness and difficulty concentrating. Those would be the constellation of symptoms one might expect if they were feeling that way.
This sounds serious and indeed it can be.
How Can You Reduce Cabin Fever?
Thankfully this condition is so widespread that many have tackled how best to reduce the effect of cabin fever. Here are some key actions:
- Accept that this could last for some time and needs attention
- Establish a daily routine
- Maintain contact with others
- Enjoy creative activities
- Check out Entertainment possibilities
How Alexa Can Help
Clearly having a smart assistant close by does not breach your self-isolation approach. Yet it can be invaluable support for many of the activities that can reduce cabin fever. In particular, Alexa is ideal in the following activities:
- Establishing Routines
- Maintaining Contact With Others
- Having Fun
Establishing Routines
To bring order to your life, Alexa can easily give you reminders of activities to be done throughout the day. It can also help you organize your Smart Home so that a series of actions can be triggered by simple voice command. If you have household or work from home projects, then Alexa can hold details of the schedule of activities these involve.
Maintaining Contact With Others
Alexa shines when it comes to maintaining contact with others. You can have face-to-face contact with your grandchild as you read a bedtime story. You can give a live demonstration of the best way of cooking your favourite dish. You can drop in on a loved one just to say hello. You can even show someone else how to do the chicken dance. Or why not meet up online with a group of friends to send cheer and thanks to all those dedicated front-line health workers. The possibilities are limited only by your imagination.
Having Fun
When it comes to entertainment, Alexa cannot be beaten. It can be as simple as playing your favourite music. Perhaps you prefer to check out the “Disney Hits” playlist and watch a favourite film. You may be someone who prefers to research some current science topic: there is no limit to that. Or perhaps it’s time for some calming visual and sound videos to help you destress. Whatever takes your fancy, Alexa can be there to help.
Further reading on this topic
A great deal is being written on this topic and the following articles are just a selection of what you will find.
- Alexa Helps Seniors Shelter-in-Place Against COVID-19 Spread
- Do I have ‘cabin fever?’ What it is, how to ‘cure’ it
- Coronavirus cabin fever? Keeping mental health a priority during self-isolation
- How to Fight Cabin Fever With Family-Friendly Alexa Games
- Some of the many ways customers are using Alexa during the COVID‑19 pandemic
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