Cabin Fever from the terrible cold is driving my Minnesota relatives crazy! (Minneapolis: how much, house)

[curious question]

Yes, it gets cold in Minnesota and the winter lasts a long time. But last weeks cold has impacted the mental health of my Minnesota relatives. Their schools were closed, their employers were closed, cars did not start, getting out of the house was painful. How much time could they spend indoors without just going crazy?

Yes, it will be milder for a few days but more real cold weather is coming back in a few days that will last for a long time.

How do the extreme cold spells in the winter and cabin fever impact your mental health?

[Glenfield]

It doesn’t. I was out every day last week, though not for a long time. Today it will be near 40 again. I think they’re exaggerating, maybe to impress you or something.

[Ghengis]

it got cold? hadn't noticed, something must be wrong with your relatives, social services can be called to do a welfare check

[LeTraveler]

How long have they been in Minnesota and are they in the Twin Cities area? I assume they are because you posted in this subforum, but want to make sure they're not in an even colder part of the state.

School and work closings were good. I got to catch up on stuff. I was out a few days last week, for 20-25 minutes at a time. I walked a couple of miles after the deep cold days, when it increased to single digit temp and negative windchill. So you can certainly go out of the house, just don't plan on staying outside for long periods.

Next week is 20s and teens, which is normal cold for here. It looks like temps will gradually increase from next week on. I'm new and coming from warm temps so when winter started my body was in shock. Now every day is just another day. Every day is cold, more or less, so it's nothing interesting.

[cornsnicker3]

They can solve this problem by going outside and doing something winter related. Wear the proper gear.

[PeachSalsa]

Originally Posted by curious question

Yes, it will be milder for a few days but more real cold weather is coming back in a few days that will last for a long time.

How do the extreme cold spells in the winter and cabin fever impact your mental health?

Highs in teens and 20s...very normal. Last week, I wore my heavy parka. Yesterday and today, I wore my light puffer jacket. I'll probably wear the puffer jacket most days this upcoming week.

I actually enjoyed the days off work. It was an unexpected mini-vacation, which allowed me time to sort through my closets, deep clean the carpets, binge watch some Netflix and Amazon Prime shows I've been meaning to get to, etc.

[WoodburyWoody]

Originally Posted by cornsnicker3

They can solve this problem by going outside and doing something winter related. Wear the proper gear.

This.

Last week was a once-in-a-generation event. We knew it was coming and schools and many employers did the responsible thing. Extra effort was put into resources for those on the margins.

Typically, there is a ton of clear blue skies in December and January. This December was atypical - warmer than normal, leading to less sunshine than normal - which typically follows incredible autumns.

February is the tough month for me. In February, it glooms up with sunshine at a premium.

[TheGrandViking]

Your relatives damaged there mental health after only 3 days? You should hope that this mental weakness is not hereditary.

My kids were hoping they would get a fourth day off. It was actually nice to have a 3 day vacation and I did get some reading done and repaired my kitchen sink. I went to the stores and moved some snow outside with no issue but I own warm coat(s) (goose down filled). I did NOT walk my dog during this weather because it would be potentially dangerous for my pet. The up coming weather does not seem that severe and today I was outside with just a flannel shirt.

The fog last night was fun but the visibility really dropped. I do enjoy an occasional foggy day.

A reminder: Just because they live in Minnesota doesn't mean they are hardy.

PS..Oh yeah, I almost forgot. I built 3 additional bins for my vermicomposting (My worm population is growing).
A thing I strongly believe that easily bored people are boring. There is always something to do or things to learn but so little time.

[old fed]

most people just continue on with their daily lives.

[Kayekaye]

We regularly drop to the -20s and -30s. This is nothing new. As far back as 2/9/1875 it was -32 and on 12/25/1879 it was -39 just to name a couple. We are used to it and figure out how to handle it. Doesn’t mean I love it, but it is just normal.

https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/climate/...ate=1879-12-31