LumberCartel.ca ✉ Cabin Fever

The Lumber Cartel, local 42 (Canadian branch)

Glossary - Cabin Fever

When end-users, systems administrators, or lumberjacks are continually exposed to excessive volumes of junk eMail, are restricted in small quarters (such as an office cubicle), or are isolated for extended periods of time, they are said to have "cabin fever." This effect is similar to a claustrophobic reaction.

[Log cabin] Some of the symtoms of cabin fever include:

restlessness
irritability
lower back pain
paranoia
irrational frustration with basic computer functions
irrational frustration with everyday objects
- kicking the computer (not the same as "booting" it)
- throwing the mouse at something
- slamming the keyboard with one's fist
- yanking network cables
- spilling a drink on paperwork
- shaking a monitor or a printer
forgetfulness
laughter
biting one's own fingernails
excessive sleeping
mild hallucinations
distrust of anyone nearby
an urge to go outside even in the rain, snow, or dark

Solutions

Socializing with people or interacting with the great outdoors are known to counter-act many of the side-effects of cabin fever because they often involve a much greater variety of physical movement, stretching one's one muscles, breathing fresh air, using language skills, and simply just getting out of the office for a while to let one's mind rest from the repetitive daily chores of regular work.