With the advent of spring many people feel tired and listless. We explain what causes so-called spring fever (some people call it spring fatigue) and what you can do about it.
The sun is shining, the temperature's rising and nature is bursting into life. Spring is here, bringing us longer days and more light. But the first days of spring leave many people feeling tired, sensitive to changes in the weather and suffering from circulatory problems. According to the Gesundheitsförderung Schweiz Swiss health promotion agency, this affects about half of the Swiss population every year. Between mid-March and mid-April, these people feel listless, exhausted and irritated.
The reason? Hormonal change
Spring fatigue is not an illness. It's a condition brought on by the transition from winter to summer time. One of the main causes is a hormonal change in our bodies. The levels of serotonin, the happiness hormone, decline in winter when the body is exposed to less light and rise again when the days start getting longer. At the same time, spring sees a decline in levels of melatonin, the hormone that regulates the sleep-wake cycle. The body needs a few weeks for the hormonal balance to restabilise. Changes in air temperature can also be tough on the system. The return of warmer temperatures causes the blood vessels to dilate and the blood pressure to drop, leading to tiredness and exhaustion.
What you can do about spring fatigue
Spring fatigue is not a health problem and will disappear on its own. But you can help your body by following these tips:
Start the day with alternating hot and cold showers to boost your circulation.
Get plenty of exercise outdoors in the fresh air. If you work in an office, try to get out during your lunch break.
Make sure your workplace is well lit (minimum 500 lux).
Eat a healthy, vitamin-rich diet and drink plenty of water. Avoid heavy meals that make you sluggish.
Try to reduce stress in your daily life and get enough sleep.
Get checked out for chronic fatigue
In addition to the harmless spring fatigue, there are also more serious forms of fatigue and exhaustion. If you feel tired for a prolonged period, regardless of the time of year, you should get examined by a specialist. Chronic fatigue is often also a sign of illness, deficiency symptoms or psychological overload.
