Fatigue heralds the return of spring

With the coming of warm and sunny weather, most people begin to experience symptoms like tiredness, lack of concentration and increased sleep needs, including a greater need for daytime sleep. Combined together, these symptoms reduce the ability to perform common day‑to‑day physical and mental activities: people often become irritable, depressed, anxious and, overall, exhausted.

All of this in fact points to the syndrome of springtime fatigue, i.e. a disorder caused by the body’s weakened immune response capability. This syndrome is primarily caused by the lack of vitamin C in the body and the aforementioned increased demands to adapt to new meteorological conditions.

The recommended first step for successfully tackling springtime fatigue is to change dietary habits by introducing an increased intake of vitamins C and E, magnesium and lecithin from food sources. Additional intake of nutrients in the form of vitamin/mineral preparations as food supplements (with prior consultation with a doctor or pharmacist) also effectively contributes to a better mood and decreased drowsiness.

In addition, it is recommended to intake at least 1.5 L of water daily to help regulate digestion and to spend a reasonable amount of time outdoors in the sunlight in order to stimulate vitamin D production, which strengthens the immune system and is an important factor in the defence against infections and other diseases. Furthermore, spending time in the sun reduces the production of melatonin, the hormone responsible for most of the sleepiness and inertness experienced during the bleak winter months.

Sleep rhythm is also an important factor that can affect fatigue and weariness: it is useful to go to bed and get up at the same time in order to maintain a regular sleep routine, and to shorten daytime naps because these can often lead to nocturnal insomnia. Likewise, adequate physical activity – appropriate for the person’s health status and age – is recommended to awaken the body; however, any substantial exertions should be avoided before going to sleep.

In order to prepare the body for the upcoming season and alleviate different symptoms of springtime fatigue, it is necessary to introduce changes that will help ease the body’s transition from this temporary but often unpleasant phase that many people experience with greater or lesser intensity.

Sources:

• Proljeće u siječnju: kako ekstremno vrijeme utječe na naše zdravlje? ADIVA: 26 January 2018 (https://www.adiva.hr/zdravlje/zdrav-zivot/proljece-u-sijecnju-kako-ekstremno-vrijeme-utjece-na-nase-zdravlje-483/)
• Proljetni umor – neželjeni pratitelj proljeća. Ordinacija.hr: 17 May 2011 (http://ordinacija.vecernji.hr/zdravlje/ohr-savjetnik/proljetni-umor-nezeljeni-pratitelj-proljeca/)
• Sunce i vitamin D. Zdravo budi: 23 December 2015 (https://www.zdravobudi.hr/clanak/712/sunce-i-vitamin-d)