As the air begins to warm up, we find ourselves longing for spring. The early hints of green grass and budding trees are all so exciting, but don’t be fooled—spring fatigue can be a real problem. After winter’s long, dark nights and dreary days, spring can feel like too much of a good thing.
What is spring fatigue
Spring fatigue is a very real thing, and it’s something to be aware of. For those living in the North, spring can be a long slog through temperatures that are too cold for comfort, but not cold enough to make you reach for our warmer clothes. While we may fantasize about finally being able to take down the heavy blankets that have kept us warm through the winter, and dream about working with the windows open, the reality is that many people are just too tired and lethargic to do anything but lay on their sofa.
It tends to hit us at the same time as seasonal allergies. It’s an unfortunate coincidence since they’re both caused by changes in temperature—a drop in humidity and an increase in pollen counts. When spring allergies come into play with feelings of exhaustion and lethargy, it can be hard to drag yourself out into the fresh air, which is probably why so many people tend to fall victim all at once during this time.
Signs of spring fatigue
One of the most common signs of spring fatigue is feeling sluggish. You may feel like you want to stay in bed all day, even if you normally get up nice and early. This can be especially challenging for those who work outside of home or have young children—you might find yourself struggling to get out the door in time for work or school, or you might have trouble getting your kids out the door for school.
Some people also experience headaches, dizziness, nausea, or trouble concentrating when they have spring fatigue. Some will experience more pronounced symptoms as well—like joint pain, muscle aches, or an upset stomach.
It also tends to make us feel irritable and short-tempered. We want to scream at people around us – even those we love – for no reason other than because they’re there when we’re having a bad day.
How to fight it:
Exercise
First, get moving! Spring fatigue is a chemical imbalance in your brain brought on by the increased daylight, but why let that stop you? Exercise can help regulate your body’s production of dopamine and serotonin, both of which make you feel happy. So lace up those sneakers, put on your walking shoes, or find an activity that gets your heart pumping and your blood flowing. It’ll give you some extra energy that will carry over into other aspects of your day.
The change in seasons also brings some big changes in weather, so bundle up before heading outdoors. When it’s cold out, put on a hat to keep warm – the extra blood flow to your head might just wake you up.
Take cold showers
Cold showers are another great way to wake yourself up – they can increase adrenaline and reduce muscle inflammation from soft tissue injuries. To find out more about the health benefits of taking cold showers, check out this post we wrote a while ago.
Get at least 7 hours of sleep
Try getting more sleep. Your body needs a lot more sleep in the summer because it has to work harder to keep itself cool. Most people find they need at least 7 hours of sleep each night, so if you’re not getting that much, try going to bed earlier or waking up later in the morning so that you can make up for it.
Because the sun rises sooner than in winter you might want to close your blinds or curtains to avoid getting waken up by it in the morning.
Eats lots of vegetables and fruit
Make sure you eat plenty of fruits and vegetables each day so that you’re getting a healthy amount of vitamins and nutrients. This will make you feel energized enough to perform activities such as going to the gym.
It’s also important not to eat junk food or drink alcohol in the spring. If you fill your stomach with unhealthy foods, they’ll just make you feel sluggish—and that sluggishness can be hard to shake off when your schedule picks up in the springtime.
You should also avoid alcohol. Many people think that drinking alcohol makes them feel more energetic, but its after-effects are actually very dehydrating for your body. Not only that, but alcohol actually contains sugar, which can contribute to weight gain if consumed regularly over a long period of time. That’s only one reason why it’s best not to drink too much alcohol.
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