Snowy Lancaster County, PA
Do Amish get Cabin Fever? No TV or Internet, nor four-wheel-drive vehicle to scoot them to the store or jet their children off to school, which rarely closes due to inclement weather. (Some Amish hire English drivers.)
Photo by Bill Coleman
What would an Amish mom do during a snowstorm? Perhaps an early morning load of laundry, which might dry in the basement should her home have one. She might help her husband with chores, prepare breakfast, clean the kitchen, bake, sew, and read to her youngsters and play board games. If single and childless, a woman might visit a relative or neighbor with infants and assist by scrubbing the friend’s kitchen and feeding the children. I recall with gratitude a woman who helped set up our kitchen years ago when we’d just moved and I was pregnant.
This winter, as flu bugs thrive, many sick folks are housebound for weeks. In some areas, the onslaught of arctic storms is still marching in. I imagine many are suffering from Cabin Fever. Even when I feel healthy, if contained in the house too long I get this itchy, grouchy feeling like a trapped animal.
I assume some Amish struggle during the gloom of dark winter months. While Cabin Fever isn’t a medical condition, seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is.
During the winter a person may experience depression and anxiety due to decreased exposure to sunlight. In a lot of cases, that’s because of poorly lit or windowed cabins, they just aren’t getting enough light in. If that’s the case with your cabin, maybe put in more windows like they have in these missouri cabins. Light doesn’t just brighten up your room, it does the same with your mood too.
“3 a.m.” Photo by Brian Powers
Here are a few tips to help escape that claustrophobic feeling if remodelling isn’t what you need. Learn a new skill, such as quilting or knitting. Whether reading Amish fiction or tackling pre-spring cleaning, keeping your brain engaged in an activity appears the best way to beat the winter blahs. You could even try some products to help you relax a little further, if you wish to get high e liquid can help you be exactly that – this will for sure get rid of those claustrophobic feeling.
Please don’t hate me for mentioning exercising when possible. Walking isn’t always practical due to inclement weather and health conditions. A dear friend walked into her late nineties. I get some of my best ideas while walking. But not if it’s icy!
My guess is the Amish get plenty of exercise, even in the winter, especially if they farm. The Bible often warns against idleness in both the Old and New Testament.
Apparently lean proteins high in omega-3 fatty acids like walnuts and salmon have been linked to improved moods. Fortunately I like both. My hunch is that dark chocolate in moderation helps. I always feel better!
An Amish-made Tea Towel
Do you ever get Cabin Fever? How do you cope? Leave a comment to enter to win this charming Amish made tea towel and a copy of one signed novel from The Legacy of Lancaster Trilogy. USA & Canada. Winner has three days to respond.
Would love to win this tea towel and book. My grandmother use to make these towels and taught us girls to crochet the top part. She would sew it to the towel. We loved her hadmade things. Crocheting was our way to avoid cabin fever.
Your grandmother must have been a gem, Sue! Crocheting sounds like a marvelous way to avoid cabin fever. Thank you for entering the giveaway! Good luck!
Anytime I am stuck inside or anywhere else for a lengthy period of time I love to get lost in a good book. Amish books are by far my favorite books to read.
Good thinking, Tiffany! Any time I go somewhere and surmise I might be kept waiting, I bring reading material. Lowers the blood pressure and turns an unpleasant situation into a time of relaxation and renewal. I’d love you to read one of my Amish books. Hope you get a chance soon. Good luck in the giveaway!
Would love to get this towel. My Dad used to do this and I always enjoyed getting a set for special times in our lives. Brings back memories and I love to read Amish Books.
What wonderful memories, Joyce! Now that both of my parents are gone I treasure every gift they gave me, especially the ones they made themselves. I’d love you to get a chance to read one of my Amish books. Thanks for entering the giveaway!
I try to get out as much as I can but I take this time to start my spring cleaning and getting rid of my junk (someone else s treasure) which I take to the homeless shelter. I get everything done inside cause when spring is here I will be outside working in my flowerbeds. Also I start my seeds about this time.
love Amish books and love this tea towel. Nothing like a stomy day to catch up on sewing
I have a little sewing to catch up on, myself, Alma! Even have the thread out so I can’t ignore it. Thanks for visiting my blog and entering the giveaway!
Isn’t that the truth, Carla! Might as well get indoor chores taken care of before the weather turns nice. I gave away a couple bags of old clothes recently and the house feels lighter. I’m so impressed that you start your own seeds. Thanks for entering the give away and good luck!
just started reading…really enjoy this!
I’m glad you’re enjoying reading, Minta! Thank you for stopping by my blog and entering the giveaway! Good luck.
When I suffer from Cabin Fever, I read a good book (preferably Amish), get on my Computer, and watch something worth watching on my television, with my lovely deluted Calico curled up beside me. Before you know it, I have forgotten that I had Cabin Fever.
Sounds as though you have cabin fever well under control, Barbara!! Finding something worth watching on TV is not an easy feat, but more fun with your calico curled beside you. Thanks for entering the giveaway and good luck!
wow! new author have not read any of your books!…..we don’t have snow..but we know how you are feeling..on a fixed income..have fevercabin!
I’m delighted to be a new author to you, Wilma! Two of the novels in The Legacy of Lancaster Trilogy were CBA bestsellers and Forever Amish is receiving five-star reviews. I hope you get a chance to read one soon. Thanks for entering the giveaway and good luck! PS: your local library is always a good resource. If they do not carry my books you can request them.
the t towel would so much help with cabin fever.
I would love to help you recover from cabin fever, Cora! Thanks for visiting my blog and entering the giveaway!
i would love to read your books. I am learning of new authors of Amish literature and I have not yet read one of yours. Would love to win and read your book. And the tea towel would be a wonderful gift to have that is Amish made. I do not live close to any Amish communities and I am not able to buy any of their goods. So wish we had some close to where I live here in Texas. Anyway, thank you for the chance of winning these items.
Thank you for visiting my blog and entering the contest, Linda! Two of the books in The Legacy of Lancaster Trilogy were CBA bestsellers and Forever Amish is receiving five-star reviews. I hope you get a chance to read one soon. Good luck in the giveaway.
I simply love these towels. They are so handy to hang on the refrigerator handles. This is a very pretty pattern!!
Thanks for stopping by my blog and entering the giveaway, Emma! Good luck!
I would treasure the tea towel and would love to win one dB of the books. I enter every contest you have but have never won. Just unlucky I guess. Better luck this time maybe.
I refuse to believe you are just unlucky, Sharon! I certainly appreciate your entering my giveaways. Thanks for hanging in there! if you seriously cannot afford to purchase a book, the local library is often a good resource. Most libraries will order their patrons’ choice of books. I’m wishing you extra special good luck in this giveaway!
To help myself with”cabin fever”, I will find something to sew or read a good Amish Fiction book. I would love to win the handmade towel.
Iwould love to spend a week with the Amish when I have cabin fever buti just grab one of my Amish books and get involved in their life I am reading about and before you know it its time to do some housework. Love your books. Thanks for writing them.
Thank you so much, Gloria! I’m delighted to hear you enjoy my books and appreciate your encouraging words. Thanks for entering the giveaway and good luck!
Sewing and reading both sound like delightful remedies for cabin fever, Joyce! Thanks for entering the giveaway and good luck!
Yes, I definitely get cabin fever–I live in Minnesota! It’s snowing here as I’m typing this. My favorite way to get out of the winter doldrums and take a break from being a full time working mom is to go to a coffee shop with a book and just read for hours. I can escape somewhere and just relax. By the time I leave, I’m ready to go back to all the chaos back home!
Reading in a coffee shop for hours sounds great, Lisa! A fun way to relax and escape the winter doldrums until you must return home … Thanks for entering the giveaway. Good luck!
I am a recently retired librarian so I haven’t experienced much cabin fever yet but reading, cooking and cleaning will probably take care of it for awhile, and it will definitely be in that order!
You may never experience cabin fever, Connie! Sounds as though you have your priorities and work awaiting you. Thanks for writing and entering the giveaway!
yes i get cabin fever and love to read about the amish and go as often as i can to ohio
Thanks for writing, Sue! What fun that you can both read about and visit the Amish in Ohio. Good luck in the giveaway!
Oh, definitely, I get cabin fever. Not only in the winter months. I don’t get out as much as I used to because of chronic health problems. But since I love reading, that’s my first choice in coping with the feelings of isolation. There’s nothing like inserting yourself into another world. Doing things with family helps some, especially my daughter. Unfortunately she’s away at college, and the men of the family are in the “grunt” stage of manhood. No stimulating conversation there recently. I think reading some blogs is going to be more helpful, don’t you think?
I agree with you, Beverly! I love reading so much that I actually smile when I get into bed at night and open a book. People wonder why I go to bed so early … Well, I do get up early too so I can write. Thank you for leaving a comment and entering the giveaway!
I don’t mind the snow or rain in the winter. Just like to curl up and real a good book and make a nice pot of soup. Of course I am retired so I don’t have to worry about getting to work anymore.
Your pot of soup sounds marvelous, Pauline! As does reading a good book. It sounds as though you have cabin fever well under control. Thanks for entering the giveaway!
I would LOVE to win the tea towel ~ it is beautiful!! Living in Philadelphia, I have visited Lancaster often and love it! I have always been interested in the Amish and their simple living. I enjoy nothing better than than getting lost in a good Amish book on a cold winter day (and we get quite a few!). This certainly helps with cabin fever! I would so LOVE to win this ~ thanks for the chance!
Thanks for writing, Marge! How wonderful that you live near the Amish. I imagine that living in Philadelphia you’ve endured some nasty weather. Several times we’ve encountered unexpected, turbulent weather conditions (Sandy, snowstorms) when we’ve flown out of your airport. Good luck in the giveaway!
Love the towel, and I hate cabin fever.
Love to read and have read a lot of books on the amish, winter is not a problem with me
I’m glad you enjoy winter … and reading books about the Amish, Sharon! Good luck in the giveaway!
Thanks for visiting my blog and entering the giveaway, Kathy! Good luck!
Winter on the most part don’t bother me. But this year its feels like it’s killing me. I am trying Vitamin D and Dark Chocolate and taking a quilting class.
Sorry this is such a rough winter, Yolanda! Your three choices sound wise. Although dark chocolate might be the least valuable, it’s my favorite. I do take vitamin D every day because I live so far north. Happy quilting and good luck in the giveaway!
I enjoy Amish stories and what better time to discover a new Author than long, cold Winter days, thank you!
Thank you for stopping by my blog and entering the giveaway, Janis! I’d love you to get a chance to read one of my Amish novels on a cold winter day … or any time. Good luck!
I try to prevent cabin fever by doing lots of little things. Having arthritis, I am limited on cold days.I always enjoy reading my amish novels.
Lots of small chores instead of one huge event sounds wise, Sherry! I’m sorry you are limited by arthritis. Reading Amish fiction is my prescription. Just kidding, but it can only enhance your life and not harm it. Thanks for entering the giveaway!
I am struggling this year We moved to another state & I have been unemployed for 3 months. The weather has been frequently cold & wet. But in Texas it is not so bad with the exception of my arthritis flares. I enjoy reading Amish books because they Ground me with hope. It would make me happy to read your books & cherish the gift. Thanks for giving me time on a great subject.
Thank you so much for taking the time to visit my blog and enter the giveaway, Karen! I find that reading about the Amish grounds me too. I hope you get a chance to read one of my books soon. Good luck in the contest!
When I get cabin fever I bundle up real well and go outside. I try to do a little shoveling or take a short walk and breathe in some fresh air. When I come back inside I find I am not climbing the walls and can sit back with a cup of tea and a good book.
Because of your post, I’m going to bundle up and take a walk in the chilly rain, Robin! Thanks for that great encouragement and thanks for entering the giveaway. Good luck!
yes, I get cabin fever. I read and play on line games
Thanks for entering the giveaway, Jeanette! Good luck!
To combat my cabin fever, I read a good book, start a new project, or have coffee with my honey.
You sound in good shape, Nicole! Three terrific ways to combat cabin fever. Thanks for entering the giveaway!
I do get cabin fever when I’m home in PA but this month I’ve been with my mom in Arkansas and I best not tell the temps as I won’t be very popular! The daffodils are about 3 inches high! When I’m stuck inside I like to read, knit/crochet and I’ve been known to organize closets, drawers or clean but that is rare. Entering to win brightened my day, thanks for the opportunity!
You’re popular with me, Linda! Just hearing about daffodils made me happy. I’m glad entering this giveaway brightened your day. Good luck!
Winter always seems long. I think it is the lack of sunshine. I work everyday and spend my weekend canning meat . I look forward to spring gardening. The towel is beautiful…
Spring gardening sounds wonderful, Vickie! I’m looking forward to it too. Thanks for entering the giveaway and good luck!
We play board games when we get stuck in by the weather. We would love to win the towel and the book.
My husband and I used to play Scrabble, but then he started beating me, Nora! With our children grown, he’s my only opponent … Thanks for entering the giveaway!
We watch LIttle House on the Prairie reruns, read, or bake. It can be cozy, if you make it so. (o:
Your home sounds cozy, Kathryn! Because you’ve made it so. Thanks for writing and entering the giveaway. Good luck!
Going to Lancaster Co on Tuesday! Couldn’t wait till spring. When I’m house-bound I love to read…esp Amish fiction! : )
What fun, Pat! Since you wrote this on the fourth, I assume you mean next Tuesday, you lucky thing. I’m sure you’ll have a marvelous time! Good luck in the giveaway!
I get cabin fever when its cold. I love to watch snow come down though and pile up but fortunately I do not have to commute to work with being retired. I love to curl up with a good book and a big mug of hot chocolate to make the days pass or go to the kitchen and bake. I would love to win the tea towel and the book. I am highly impressed with the amish life style and greatly admire their beliefs.
Hope I win…..
I’m glad you don’t have to commute, thus can enjoy watching the snow float down, Judy! A good book and a mug of hot chocolate sound like a delightful combination. Good luck in the giveaway!
In the winter, I read my Amish fiction books a lot more because going outside to work in yard is not an option. I read in the summertime too, but just not as much. Love the snow in the winter, just hate the ice. God paints some beautiful scenery with his snowfall.
I love the towel. Thanks for chance to win.
I’m glad you love the beautiful snow, Donna! Even my best four-wheel-drive vehicles were useless on ice and it’s dangerous to walk on. Enjoy God’s scenery and good luck in the giveaway!
I don’t really get what I call cabin fever. I get out weekly for church, if nothing else. But sometimes all those dark, gray, long wintery days make me feel blah! I read, keep my younger grandchild and play with him, make time for friends, or try to keep busy to take my mind off of it. That works pretty well.
You sound like you have an excellent plan, Leanna! Part of going to church for me is being in community with fellow believers. Very uplifting. It’s hard to beat playing with your grandson and reading. Still, there are some blah days … Good luck in the giveaway!
I don’t really get cabin fever,but if I feel like I need to get out of the house I go browse my local thrift store.I always enjoy reading your post and love the beautiful pictures.
You don’t need to get cabin fever to enter the giveaway, Jackie! Thanks so much for taking the time to read my posts. I appreciate your kind words about my pictures!
When the Amish get cabin fever, some of them just build cabins
Amishcabincompany.com
I don’t get cabin fever because I just grab a good Amish book and read. I would love to win this contest.