The field is filled with flowers, the thermometers rise, the light enters through the window and the air already smells a little summery… However, your body does not respond positively to these changes and you feel a unexplained fatigue. You fall asleep all over the day, you feel sad and fatigued, muscle pain and low blood pressure. you probably have spring asthenia.
It should be noted that, as explained by the Spanish Society of General and Family Physicians, spring asthenia is not considered a pathologyalthough it can be understood as a process of adaptation to the change of environmental factors such as the change to summer time, the increase in temperature, changes in atmospheric pressure and humidity, allergy to pollen or daylight hours.
What is spring asthenia?
Although the debate on whether it should be addressed as a pathology continues, the trend to date is consider spring asthenia as an adjustment disorder.
As defined by the College of Pharmacists of Barcelona, the spring asthenia It is a “general feeling of weakness and lack of vitality, both physical and intellectual, which reduces the ability to work and even perform the simplest tasks.”
In general terms, the causes of asthenia can be very varied, from situations of stress, anxiety or depression to cardiac and pulmonary disorders and infections. Asthenia of organic origin is the most acute and with more specific symptoms.
Spring is the asthenia that affects a greater number of people, and science rushes to unravel the true causes of this phenomenon, largely still unknown. From Cinfa Health collect that, when there are no associated diseases, it is believed that spring asthenia is due to a hormonal change in the regulation of the organism.
Between the environmental factors contributing to asthenia The change in weather, the increase in daylight and the modification of the daily routine can be mentioned: the regulation of circadian rhythms is altered through a change in the secretion of certain hormones such as endorphins, cortisol or melatonin.
When does fatigue appear (and how long does it last)
This temporary and subjective feeling of tirednessboth physical and intellectual, is correlated with the beginning of spring, so appears with the start of the season.
A scientific article published in the sevier emphasizes that it is produced especially if the heat appears too early and is linked to fluctuations in atmospheric pressure and humidity environmental.
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The average duration of the symptoms of spring asthenia is 15 days, until the body gets used to the new parameters of light, temperature or activity hours. Regarding the population groups affected, the studies provide contradictory data.
According to the College of Pharmacists of Barcelona, Asthenia occurs especially between the ages of 20 and 50, and proportionately affects more women than men. From sanitas emphasize that it is estimated that between 10 and 20% of the patients who go to the family doctor’s office during the first weeks of the spring period do so for asthenic pictures.
Tiredness and sleepiness (among others): these are the symptoms of spring asthenia
The astheniawhich is not classified as a disease by the World Health Organization, ranges from inexplicable sadness to physical symptoms such as lack of appetite or sexual desire.
These are the main symptoms of spring asthenia:
- Daytime tiredness and sleepiness
- Fatigue, especially in the morning
- general lack of energy
- sleep disturbances
- hypotension
- dizziness
- brain fog
- inexplicable melancholy
- Muscle and joint pain
- Difficulty falling asleep
- Irritability
- Anxiety
- loss of appetite
- Digestive problems
- headaches
- decreased libido
- Concentration problems
- Apathy or lack of motivation
How to fight fatigue spring
These are some tips that will help you combat spring asthenia and reduce the intensity of its symptomswhich are usually short-lived, not very alarming, and do not require treatment.
In any case, if in a few weeks they do not disappear or worsen, it is advisable to see a doctor.
- Sleep between 7 and 9 hours a day.
- Stick to regular sleep schedules to help regulate circadian rhythms.
- Do moderate physical activity, such as a daily walk, yoga, bicycling, or swimming.
- Follow a balanced diet, with an adequate proportion of macronutrients, prioritizing fresh products of vegetable origin and rich in vitamins and minerals.
- Some recommended foods for spring asthenia They are asparagus, oily fish, avocado, nuts, fruits like strawberries, olive oil, dates or dark chocolate.
- If you eat properly, remember that vitamin supplements are not necessary.
- Don’t forget to hydrate properly.
- Anticipate the change to summer time, gradually adapting your daily routine.
- Light dinner.
- Try to do relaxing activities that you like, from meditating to painting, walking through nature, listening to a good podcast or enjoying reading.
The normal thing is that, if you suffer from spring asthenia on some occasion, it is mild and temporary. Rest, sports and food are the main keys to combat it.
