Tips to combat cabin fever

[MissMalteser]

Due to a whole host of reasons I am due to spend a lot of this winter indoors with ds (2.5) we get out maybe once a week to the park and a local sen sensory session but that’s it really.
I do get out of the house for some me time during the evenings and at the weekend but am really struggling to keep us both occupied during the day.
Is there anyone else in a similar situation or with the same issue due to illness or that has any tips?
We do get out into the garden when the rain lets up and I bake, study and read when I get the chance but I feel like my mental health is really suffering with not having an established routine of getting out everyday and my motivation has declined so much I can spend hours just scrolling through my phone :(
Anyone any tips for getting through the next few months? Our situation will improve with the better weather and this winter is the last one we’ll spend at home as he starts nursery next September so it’s a very temporary problem thankfully!

Bumping in hope of some words of wisdom 🙏🏻

I'm not sure of its your illness or your child's keeping you in? Are you restricted physically?

What Green said. We need to have a bit more idea why before giving hints.

I would suggest making sure you both get some exercise, but you mention Sen so don't know how appropriate that is.

Yes sorry I wasn’t sure whether that was appropriate or not but of course it would be 🙈 it’s because of ds’s special needs, he has a LOT of sensory issues which means soft play, mother and toddlers, shopping centres and cafes etc are out, when I try and take him out for a walk in the pram he self harms by punching himself and gets really distressed so the most we manage is our sensory group and the park when it stops raining long enough and I can wrestle him into the car lol he is more than happy in his own company and only comes out because I force him tbh

Could you do something 'fun' outside with the door open to tempt him outside. Just into your space? Sand, experiments with mentos and coke, ice melting etc
Do some indoor exercise...running on the spot, hide and seek or small scale games like bowling or twister.
I want to move to a warm country. This cold weather is crap.

Could you try growing something? Cress or herbs on the windowsill? Or bird watch out the window? Sorry, not very helpful. Roll on spring.

Woowooo it really is, I’m the better weather we get out every day to the beach and park etc but ds hates the rain and we’re in NI so it’s unavoidable here, we do have some activities set up in our small garden but he really doesn’t have the attention span to do any shared activities unfortunately, he potters around in his own world most of the time- even at the park and places he likes I’m just there to facilitate his play iykwim
I don’t want to make this about ds though as we muddle along its just I can really feel my own energy levels and enthusiasm for things waning, I only gave up work a few months ago and I’m finding it really tough

What does he do if you go for a "walk" without the pram?

Do you know why he hates the rain?
Sound or feel of the raincoat over ears --> try a waterproof hat or umbrella.

I found ping pong balls in an enclosed, tiled space were great for wet days

Obstacle course, put a block on the tower each finished round.

Wind up torch in a dark room.

For you, indoor exercise app/DVD/bike/TRX