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Original poster

What's the longest you have stayed inside for ?

209 replies

Sitonyourdressmavis · 18/02/2026 16:48

I've just come out of a very stressful work situation and now have 2 weeks annual leave. I've spent a week of it already and I haven't been out of the house! I feel like I'm in hibernation mode. I live alone and am perfectly happy ,but wondering when I'm going to get cabin fever...
What's the longest you've stayed in for?

OP posts:
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TheeNotoriousPIG · 09/08/2026 19:51

Definitely at least a week (I have migraines that usually last for at least six days), and probably two or more when I had a breakdown and didn't want to face anyone.

TheOriginalEmu · 09/08/2026 19:43

6 weeks after my leg amputation. ai didn’t mind it though, I like inside it’s where all my stuff is.

Swiftsmith · 09/08/2026 19:40

48 hours max if ill. If not ill and it gets to 1pm without getting outside I feel stir crazy

Timeforachange26 · 09/08/2026 19:36

5 weeks but I was in hospital. Otherwise 12 hours max

Flomingho · 09/08/2026 19:35

1 week, about 12 years ago, when I was suffering a nasty sinus infection which affected my balance and hearing. I try to go out every day unless I am ill.

Meadowfinch · 09/08/2026 07:46

10 days. I had emergency surgery and spent two days unconscious, six more days on women’s surgical and then two days at home before I was on my feet.

I hated it. Took hourly little walks in the garden for the following week, and had my duvet on a sun lounger. 😁

louderthan · 22/02/2026 09:54

I think about eight days the first time I had Covid. Took all my energy to go to the loo so going downstairs and outside wasn’t really an option!

Delatron · 21/02/2026 19:37

Skybluepinky · 21/02/2026 11:15

The whole of lockdown, wasn’t an issue at all.

What for months? Were you shielding?

jonahpops · 21/02/2026 13:09

10 days when I had to shield after testing positive for covid a while back.

Blackberrys1 · 21/02/2026 12:36

You are wisely listening to your body and nesting.
I love to potter and can happily go for days not being out and about.
As you have had a stressful time, taking time out can be hugely restorative.
Also sounds like you are bringing greater order to your surroundings which when you return to work will be of benefit to you.
Just make sure you watch your nutrition and eat well.
Food is medicine.

BlackeyedSusan · 21/02/2026 12:31

14 days. Covid quarantine. No access to the outside from the flat. Didn't want to kill the bin/Easter egg/crisps/parcel fairies (Aka my elderly next door neighbour and downstairs neighbour) Preteen and young teen autistic kids in a two bed flat, me sleeping in living room.

Actually reading back I forgot that I was on bed rest for a month with new born due to prolonged bleeding.

YourGreenCat · 21/02/2026 12:20

Skybluepinky · 21/02/2026 11:15

The whole of lockdown, wasn’t an issue at all.

I believe you, but I already found that being stuck in this country during lockdown was hell, I can't imagine having to spend days and weeks locked up in a house. I know people did, some countries were very strict, but a nightmare.

Skybluepinky · 21/02/2026 11:15

The whole of lockdown, wasn’t an issue at all.

FoxLoxInSox · 21/02/2026 10:18

5 months - when in the grips of a bipolar breakdown.

Cappie73 · 20/02/2026 23:34

Can easily be two weeks if having a depressive episode

henlake7 · 20/02/2026 23:32

Probably about 10 days when really ill with covid. It was about 2 weeks of just opening the back door for my 4 dogs a couple of times a day.....the state of the garden was shocking by the end!😂

Usually I might stay in a day if the weather is truly awful but generally I like to get out the house every day.

WildLeader · 20/02/2026 23:14

10 weeks. Only left cos I needed to go to the hospital

I win. 🤣

wouldn’t wish my abusive ex and the shitty time we had in his godforsaken country on my worst enemy.

maybein2022 · 20/02/2026 23:07

8 nights in hospital with my 3rd baby. That’s definitely the longest. At home, since having kids definitely no more than 24hrs tops unless have been unwell, eg 10 days when self isolation for covid was super strict etc.

Whowahway123 · 20/02/2026 22:49

Neurodiversitydoctor · 20/02/2026 06:30

Did you get everything delivered ? What about fruit and veg ? Like PP 48 hrs is a long time for me. I like to get out everyday.

Show quote history

Fruit & veg box delivered weekly plus some homegrown bits.
Milkman twice weekly
Grocery delivery fortnightly
Prescriptions delivered by local chemist

CalliopeFosterBeauchamp · 20/02/2026 16:05

Excluding physical illness and lockdowns, 3 weeks. I have severe depression and anxiety and hate the world at the moment. My mental health is much worse when I have to go out.

ruethewhirl · 20/02/2026 15:33

Thepeopleversuswork · 18/02/2026 18:27

@WorkHardPlay

Whatever you do OP - don’t listen to those who tell you that it’s unhealthy/strange. Many of these posters have children/live with a partner, which of course changes things.

Hmmm… Fine every now and then, everyone likes to slob out sometimes but there’s loads of evidence of the health benefits of fresh air and exercise. I have to say I don’t think its healthy to not want to go outdoors. It often goes hand in hand with agoraphobia and anxiety.

Sometimes. But it can also go hand in hand with chronic pain/fatigue issues. Sometimes the energy battery just drains completely, and a longer period of rest is needed, in my experience (unfortunately) anyway.

sumayyah · 20/02/2026 14:37

5 months in 2020
My daughter was deemed clinically vulnerable and our whole house was on shielding as a result

The first one seemed easier that the second and third bit is likely where ive developed anxiety around people from

ABeerInTheSunshineMakesMeHappy · 20/02/2026 11:35

Delatron · 20/02/2026 06:32

I dont remember the law saying we had to stay inside during lockdown? You could go out to exercise. I did a lot of walking/ running. Took the kids out to exercise, took the dog out for walks….

But there were rules at one point for if you had tested positive, or even, I recall, if you had been in contact with someone else who was positive, you had to stay at home for 10 days. Also there were quite a few people with underlying illness who were advised to ‘shield’. It makes sense that for most people their longest period of being at home was during this time.

NoYourNameChanged · 20/02/2026 10:32

gamerchick · 19/02/2026 08:24

You just went about your day with sepsis and broken limbs? I'm assuming you mean broken arms.. but sepsis is a bit of a stretch dude.

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As I clarified a couple of posts after my first, I was not counting hospital stays 😅

Shanda5 · 20/02/2026 07:58

4 days when I had flu. That aside, 24 hours max