MANILA, PHILIPPINES — We’ve just entered Week Three of the Enhanced Community Quarantine in Luzon, and Filipinos are starting to get used to this new reality as they do their best to deal with anxiety and cabin fever. As people are urged to stay indoors and in isolation from one another, it’s definitely a challenge to stay positive, at peace, even inspired when we see with the same four walls every single day.
By definition, cabin fever refers to the restlessness and distress one gets when a person, or group, is stuck in confined quarters for an extended period of time.
Emphasizing the importance of addressing how cabin fever plays into our day-to-day quarantined life, 24-year old illustrator Cara Alegre released a set of fun illustrations sending a very important message on how to battle it.
“While the [COVID-19] pandemic should remain to be everyone’s number 1 concern, I was keen on looking at the other effects it would have on everyone, specifically its mental ramifications. One of which would eventually be cabin fever. I could already see it affecting some of my family and friends; myself even. As a result, I decided to create awareness for it by coming up with ten tips on how to manage cabin fever. I just felt that apart from coronavirus, people needed to hear about this too. Everyone’s lives have changed rapidly overnight. All of a sudden we’re not going out to have lunches or dinners, we’re staying in, and some of us are with the same people 24/7 for the time being. It has its pros, but it also has its cons; enough to make one go a little bit crazy. Ha ha.
“We’ve all had to reset and it will take time before we’ve fully adjusted to our new lifestyles. This is my small gesture to help us through this pandemic. Here’s to hoping that it helps you and anyone else through these very new times”, Cara shared with the team.
The illustrations themselves are very straightforward, light, and fun, and are an interesting approach to a topic that’s not often associated with those words. The project, and its style, also offers a semblance to children’s books, opening its reach to an even broader audience. It also makes for an easy-to-digest quick read for adults, who might need some extra reassurance that everything is going to be okay.
Cara also shared a playlist she created to help guide us through our frustrations and let it slowly transition into positive vibes: “It’s important to first acknowledge how you are feeling and then slowly try to feel better. If you’re sad? Be sad first, and then work towards feeling happy after.”
Check out more of Cara’s illustrations at:
FB: @carathedrawer
IG: @carathedrawer
