Inexplicable exhaustion and fatigue, which do not want to pass. Should I see a doctor? If they last a long time, yes, but be careful: in this season it could be “spring sickness”.
Winter is almost over, we are waiting for spring. We see it as a liberation from the dark, from the cold, from heavy clothes.
Too bad, however, that sometimes, instead of feeling sparkling and full of energy, we find ourselves apathetic and tired without knowing why.
It almost seems that our body struggles to synchronize with the rhythms of the external environment, and often we do not even know how to deal with this spring exhaustion.
It is possible that at the origin of this malaise there is, for example, low blood pressure, a deficiency of vitamin B12 or folic acid, an iron deficiency anemia, substances important for the performance of the following functions:
| Cobalamin | It intervenes in the process of cell division and contributes to normal energy metabolism, normal functioning of the nervous system, normal homocysteine metabolism, normal red blood cell formation, normal psychological function, normal immune system function, reduction of tiredness and fatigue. |
| Folic acid | It intervenes in the process of cell division and contributes to the growth of maternal tissues during pregnancy, to the normal synthesis of amino acids, to normal hematopoiesis, to normal homocysteine metabolism, to normal psychological function, to the normal function of the immune system, to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue |
| Iron | It intervenes in the process of cell division and contributes to normal cognitive function, normal energy metabolism, normal formation of red blood cells and hemoglobin, normal oxygen transport in the body, normal function of the immune system and reduction of tiredness and fatigue |
But with the change of season it is very likely that the fatigue that many of us feel is not due to a disorder to be treated, but is simply the response of our body to nature that changes.
Adapting is tiring
There is a close link between weather conditions and physiological processes. And that every time our body has to deal with sudden variations in temperature, pressure or light, it must make an effort to adapt that for some is very tiring.
Thus, the defenses are lowered and, if it is not helped, our body remains more vulnerable to diseases.
A normal process, since our biological rhythms are closely linked and determined by an internal clock, regulated by the cadences of some environmental stimuli such as the alternation of light and dark or heat and cold.
Sudden heat
The body, accustomed to the harsh winter temperatures, is suddenly in a warmer environment and must activate all those mechanisms that help it to dispose better and faster of the heat produced with normal activities, especially if you move a lot. And this costs effort, so the energies drop.
We can help him by discovering just enough. This is also not an easy task in spring because we know that temperatures are not yet very stable.
The ideal are cotton garments, in layers, in order to cope with the variability inherent in the season.
Even the light rows against
Temperature is not the only problem. Light also plays a leading role, indeed, perhaps it is the most influential.
On the one hand, the prolongation of daylight hours induces changes in the sleep-wake rhythm and in the secretion of various hormones, including cortisol.
This affects, among other things, the immune system and mood. On the other hand, if in winter the day usually ends in the late afternoon, when it is already dark, in spring we tend to do more and this, especially at the beginning, contributes to making us feel more tired.
Spring depression
For many, spring is synonymous with good mood, for some it is the opposite. There are people who suffer, during the change of season, from a kind of depression.
Experts call it seasonal affective disorder, or SAD. It is manifested by excessive drowsiness, loss of pleasure, psychomotor slowdown, poor concentration.
Joycelyn Elders is the author and creator of EmpowerEssence, a health and wellness blog. Elders is a respected public health advocate and pediatrician dedicated to promoting general health and well-being.
The blog covers a wide range of topics related to health and wellness, with articles organized into several categories.