Spring Time Fatigue
Have you heard of “Frühjahrsmüdigkeit”? 🙂 I know it looks terrible and it’s a German word, of course. It means “spring time fatigue”. Have you felt it lately? While the sun can make you feel happy and excited, some of us may actually feel lethargic or even get headaches, and it’s completely normal.
the biology of it
For a long time it was believed that we suffer from spring fatigue because we don’t eat enough fruits and vegetables in winter. The empty vitamin and mineral stores should trigger the symptoms. Not true! Doctors now suspect that the imbalance between two hormones makes us tired: the “sleep hormone” melatonin and the “happiness hormone” serotonin.
Basically, the happy hormone is triggered by the influence of light. In the spring, the relationship between these two hormones gets shaken up a little. The days are longer and we are exposed to more (sun) light. The body needs about two to four weeks to get used to it and to establish a new balance. And until that happens, some people are particularly tired, have circulatory problems and suffer from headaches. As soon as the inner clock is adjusted again, the spring tiredness should dissappear.
how to combat spring time fatigue
You don’t have to wait until your inner clock is up to speed again. The No 1 tip on how to fight this fatigue is this: Soak up the sun as much as you can! The more active you are, the quicker it’ll go. Make sure you expose your face and arms to the sun at least 20mins a day, and don’t forget to protect your skin with plenty of SPF! Also, it’s beneficial not to wear sunglasses during this short period of time. The body also needs to absorb light through the retinas of the eyes in order to be able to produce the happy hormone serotonin. However please be careful. Personally, I cannot squint for too long without starting to feel agitated 🙂
more tips
- Spray your body with cold water after shower
- Regular exercise
- Fresh fruit and vegetables support the metabolic processes
- Drink enough (approx. 1.5 to 2 liters) to prevent tiredness and lack of concentration
Soon you should feel as energetic as ever and of course, regular exercise such as Barre, Stretch and Pilates don’t hurt 😉
happy spring time!