Spring is coming again. Life awakens from hibernation, trees and flowers begin to grow and flourish. But for many people, spring does not mean direct awakening. Many people are tired, feel listless and cannot really get going. This is due to a special circumstance – so-called spring fatigue. This does not affect all people equally; many are not influenced at all, while others feel very affected by it. Find out what you can do when springtime lethargy gets in the way and how a nutritious breakfast can help. We have summarised the most important tips and remedies for springtime lethargy for you.
What is springtime lethargy?
Basically, the body temperature is lower in winter than in summer. In spring, this changeover takes a lot out of many people. The body needs a certain amount of time to get used to the new circumstances. During this process, the blood vessels dilate, causing blood pressure to drop.
How does spring fatigue manifest itself?
The result: tiredness and listlessness. In addition, the body's reserves of serotonin are depleted. Serotonin is a messenger substance that ensures that all nerve fibres in the brain work properly. Serotonin is also generally known as the happiness hormone because it often influences our emotions. But not everyone is affected by springtime tiredness. Women, teenagers, people who are sensitive to changes in the weather and people with low blood pressure are particularly affected.
What deficiency am I experiencing when I feel tired?
Tiredness is usually a sign of an imbalance in the body. Your body is telling you: ‘Stop, I need time to recharge.’ In this case, getting enough sleep and eating a healthy diet can quickly help.
Sometimes tiredness is also accompanied by a nutrient deficiency, such as iron deficiency. If you suspect a deficiency, it is definitely advisable to have a blood count test in consultation with your GP. However, many deficiencies can be compensated for by a proper diet.
Often, it is also a psychological condition that leads to fatigue. Sun, fresh air and a little exercise are crucial here. Go for a walk in the fresh air. It's best to just do the things that do you good. A healthy mind goes hand in hand with a healthy body – that's an important basic rule.
Lacking in energy – what to do?
So how do you tackle tiredness? For one thing, you should try doing sport. Sport helps to get your blood pressure and circulation going. We can recommend our Sportrange – it gives you the right energy for a more active everyday life. It's also helpful to eat consciously. A healthy, vitamin-rich diet with lots of fruit and vegetables provides us with important vitamins and nutrients. Bananas, for example, contain serotonin – that helps! Another tip is to use contrast showers. Contrast showers means turning on warm and cold water alternately. This helps to get the circulation going. It is also important to spend a lot of time in the sun. This boosts serotonin production.
How long does springtime fatigue last?
There is no clear time for spring fatigue to end. However, as a rule of thumb, symptoms should not last longer than 4-6 weeks. If the symptoms last much longer, perhaps even for months, you should see a doctor. Your tiredness and fatigue may have other causes than spring fatigue.
What can you do in the morning to combat tiredness?
Most people struggle with tiredness in the morning. It is often incredibly difficult to get out of bed or to get going shortly after getting up. An extended breakfast, ideally a warm one, is particularly helpful against this. A tasty warm porridge provides you with plenty of energy and keeps you full for a long time.
Because the breakfast is warm, the nutrients can be better absorbed and the body needs less energy to absorb them. So a warm breakfast not only gets your circulation going, but also helps you to avoid getting hungry, listless and tired again so quickly. You can add nuts, fresh berries, seeds or a little honey to your porridge as you please. This not only provides additional nutrients, but also makes it more enjoyable.
Another tip: get up straight away! Don't lie in for too long when you first wake up in the morning. If you hit the snooze button too often, you won't get going properly all day. It's better to get up quickly and take a shower – that'll shake you awake.
A good, balanced breakfast naturally helps with tiredness, because it provides you with important nutrients and vitamins. But try to eat healthy snacks during the day too, for example a handful of nuts or a little fruit, and of course drink plenty of water. That way, nothing can spoil your mood in the fight against springtime tiredness!
