Avoid Cabin Fever This Winter
12-01-2017
Author: in We Wander Wherever
Winter camping can be an absolute blast. Unfortunately, wintering in an RV can also be a quick way to find yourself suffering from a serious case of cabin fever. This is especially true if the weather is bad in your area, and even more so if you are full-time with no “sticks and bricks” home to retreat to at the end of the weekend.
So how do we full-time RVers handle being cooped up in a 300-square-foot space for the entire winter? Actually, there are quite a few things one can do to avoid the onset of cabin fever. Try the tips below to see what works for you.
Head South
The most obvious and most effective way to avoid feeling packed in like a sardine this winter is to head south. Florida, Texas, and Southern California all have beautiful winter weather that allows campers to continue getting outside regularly. In fact, my family has even been swimming lately here in central Florida.
That said, considering we are already part-way through the season and because work keeps so many people in place, this may not be feasible for your family. If this is the case for you, try moving on to the options below.
Go Somewhere Fun
The best way to get rid of cabin fever is to...well, get out of the cabin. Now, if you live somewhere extremely cold, this is a little more difficult, because simply going out for a hike probably isn’t a great option. However, it is still possible to find things to do outside of the camper.
Take a look at what’s in your area. Find museums, trampoline parks, indoor mini-golf, local gyms, and indoor swimming. If you will be stationary for the majority of the winter, consider purchasing a membership to a few different places so you can get out and about multiple times a week. This alone may solve all of your problems.
Build a Fire
Feel like you need some fresh air and sunshine? Depending on the weather in your area, you might have luck building a daytime campfire. Bundle up in coats and blankets, gather around the warmth of the fire, and roast hotdogs for lunch. The sun will work alongside the flames to keep you nice and toasty, and you’ll get a heaping helping of vitamin D.
Take Work Elsewhere
Do you work from your RV? If so, it’s easy to fall into a habit of lazing around the motorhome or trailer in your PJs and doing work for hours on end. Eventually, this is likely to lead you and your family into a funk, something you definitely don’t want.
Instead of always doing your work at home, consider heading to a coffee shop or library to get some stuff done. This will likely help you focus and will at least get you out of the RV for a while.
If you have young kids, consider finding a coffee place or fast food restaurant with an indoor playground so they can play while you work. Older kids can do schoolwork or read while enjoying their time away from your tiny home.
Make Use of the Campground Clubhouse
Most RV parks have a clubhouse or recreation hall. Take advantage of this when you start to feel cooped up by using it to have a family game night or do a puzzle together. If you feel the need to socialize, consider inviting fellow campers to play with you. You might be surprised how much better a little bit of relaxing fun with friends can make you feel.
Create More Space
The biggest problem with being stuck in the RV all winter is the lack of space. Try creating more space by installing Murphy beds, getting rid of unused furniture, and using storage spaces to get items off the floor. While this won't solve all of your cabin fever woes, it can certainly help.
By using these simple tricks, you should be able to get through the old winter months while still having fun with your RV lifestyle. Go ahead and give them a try and let us know how it goes!
So how do we full-time RVers handle being cooped up in a 300-square-foot space for the entire winter? Actually, there are quite a few things one can do to avoid the onset of cabin fever. Try the tips below to see what works for you.
Head South
The most obvious and most effective way to avoid feeling packed in like a sardine this winter is to head south. Florida, Texas, and Southern California all have beautiful winter weather that allows campers to continue getting outside regularly. In fact, my family has even been swimming lately here in central Florida.
That said, considering we are already part-way through the season and because work keeps so many people in place, this may not be feasible for your family. If this is the case for you, try moving on to the options below.
Go Somewhere Fun
The best way to get rid of cabin fever is to...well, get out of the cabin. Now, if you live somewhere extremely cold, this is a little more difficult, because simply going out for a hike probably isn’t a great option. However, it is still possible to find things to do outside of the camper.
Take a look at what’s in your area. Find museums, trampoline parks, indoor mini-golf, local gyms, and indoor swimming. If you will be stationary for the majority of the winter, consider purchasing a membership to a few different places so you can get out and about multiple times a week. This alone may solve all of your problems.
Build a Fire
Feel like you need some fresh air and sunshine? Depending on the weather in your area, you might have luck building a daytime campfire. Bundle up in coats and blankets, gather around the warmth of the fire, and roast hotdogs for lunch. The sun will work alongside the flames to keep you nice and toasty, and you’ll get a heaping helping of vitamin D.
Take Work Elsewhere
Do you work from your RV? If so, it’s easy to fall into a habit of lazing around the motorhome or trailer in your PJs and doing work for hours on end. Eventually, this is likely to lead you and your family into a funk, something you definitely don’t want.
Instead of always doing your work at home, consider heading to a coffee shop or library to get some stuff done. This will likely help you focus and will at least get you out of the RV for a while.
If you have young kids, consider finding a coffee place or fast food restaurant with an indoor playground so they can play while you work. Older kids can do schoolwork or read while enjoying their time away from your tiny home.
Make Use of the Campground Clubhouse
Most RV parks have a clubhouse or recreation hall. Take advantage of this when you start to feel cooped up by using it to have a family game night or do a puzzle together. If you feel the need to socialize, consider inviting fellow campers to play with you. You might be surprised how much better a little bit of relaxing fun with friends can make you feel.
Create More Space
The biggest problem with being stuck in the RV all winter is the lack of space. Try creating more space by installing Murphy beds, getting rid of unused furniture, and using storage spaces to get items off the floor. While this won't solve all of your cabin fever woes, it can certainly help.
By using these simple tricks, you should be able to get through the old winter months while still having fun with your RV lifestyle. Go ahead and give them a try and let us know how it goes!
Related Tags:Chelsea Barron
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Author: Chelsea Barron
