Is spring and autumn fatigue a myth or a fact?

Do you feel sluggish, sleepy, and constantly want to yawn? Do you suffer from excessive sleepiness, have trouble concentrating during the day, have headaches, or are you physically and mentally inactive?
Then maybe fatigue has overtaken you too!

Fatigue and exhaustion.

Fatigue is a subjective feeling that everyone perceives a little differently. Some people can carry out normal activities when tired, others are slower in their activity, and others need to seek professional help.

Interesting fact: Fatigue is a problem that affects many people. It can be insignificant, but it can also be the first sign of serious illness. This symptom brings up to 10% of people to the GP's surgery.

Overwork, the fast pace of life and the daily routine that leads to physical and, increasingly, mental exhaustion are the order of the day for some people. It is a physiological state of the body when the cause of fatigue is clear and the individual is fully aware of it (greater physical exercise, stressful periods, workload).

When the cause is unclear, it leads to a number of questions and hypotheses in relation to the pathological condition. The search is for a disease that could trigger it (anaemia, cancer, infections...).

However, many people experience an increased level of exhaustion only at certain times. In general, it is highest during spring and autumn, when the weather changes. This change more or less affects the human organism.

Tip: Chronic fatigue syndrome is not just normal fatigue

Manifestations of fatigue:

• Mental and physical exhaustion
• reduced physical activity
• reduced sexual activity
• muscle weakness
• malaise
• apathy
• drowsiness and excessive sleepiness
• drooping eyelids
• inability to concentrate
• memory impairment, remembering
• excessive yawning
• food aversion
• nausea
• headaches
• dizziness, fog before eyes
• collapse from exhaustion

Weather and its effect on the human body

The effect of the weather on the human body is called meteosensitivity. It is a heightened sensitivity of a person to changes that disturb his inner balance and state of well-being.
These changes bring with them certain seasons, or rather the transition between them. For some, they are almost subtle, and for others they can make the days quite unpleasant.

The changes in the weather can therefore cause excessive fatigue, loss of energy and vitality in more sensitive (meteosensitive) individuals due to a lack of adaptation. However, this is not a disease state, but a syndrome (a set of symptoms) that are transient and not related to the disease.

Meteosensitivity is an ancient phenomenon

Adaptive changes of the body and mind to the weather and their disturbances are not a modern phenomenon, but an ancient one. Our ancestors had to adapt to changes in the weather.

In winter they built fires, in the rain they took shelter in caves, and from the sun they hid in the dense growth of the forest. It is not known how strongly their bodies reacted to these changes and to what extent they were able to adapt to them.

Today, only one thing has changed in this respect, and that is the naming of the phenomenon in which humans find it more difficult to cope with individual changes. This is the aforementioned meteosensitivity.

Our body and psyche react to the various effects of the weather

When you are cold, you may observe various changes on your body, such as goosebumps on your arms, standing hair, shivering, skin that is cool and paler. The blood vessels in the body narrow.
On hot days, on the contrary, the blood vessels dilate, the body is hot to the touch, the skin colour turns pink, you start to sweat excessively, blood pressure drops, heart rate rises, you may feel dizzy.

Mentally, people may feel dissatisfied, moody, depressed, or excessively tired during cold days.
During hot summer days, mood improves with the production of serotonin. A burst of energy comes on, a person has an excess of strength and optimism.

Tip.

Table with temperature effects of weather on the human body:

Which seasons are critical for people who are meteosensitive?

The most critical seasons for adaptation are undoubtedly spring and autumn. Why is this so? What happens during these seasons?

The spring season has its negatives

Spring begins with the vernal equinox, around March 20 in the northern hemisphere and September 23 in the southern hemisphere. The end of spring is heralded by the summer solstice, which occurs around June 21 in the northern hemisphere and December 21 in the southern hemisphere.

Springtime is one of the two major seasons that cause fatigue. In a way, it's a bit of a paradox, as many people are full of anticipation for spring. Winter is ending, winter coats are being put away and everyone is looking forward to warmer weather and longer days. It's a time of great cleaning and positive changes in the home.

The first days of spring are also in the original positive spirit, but people often overdo it. The sun comes out a bit and they are already shedding more clothes than is acceptable and healthy.

The first colds come, the immune system weakens and with it an increased number of other illnesses such as colds, flu and pollen allergies. Constant sneezing, coughing, runny nose, scratchy throat, painful swallowing, itchy eyes, watery eyes, increased body temperature and even the associated increased tiredness can make the day pretty poisonous.

During these illnesses, cytokines are released in the body to accompany inflammation. Excessive levels of these cytokines lead to appetite, malaise, malaise, apathy, fatigue and discomfort. Ultimately, this also leads to a change in mood from positive to negative, a feeling of exhaustion, reduced physical activity and even depression. Changes in serotonin levels can exacerbate fatigue.

Tip.

Fatigue is kind of expected from a brisk autumn

Autumn begins with the autumnal equinox around September 23 in the northern hemisphere and around September 21 in the southern hemisphere. The winter solstice tells us its end around December 21 in the northern hemisphere and not until around June 21 in the southern hemisphere. There is no autumn at the equator. The dates of the equinox and solstice may differ by one day.

The autumn season and the onset of fatigue is more understandable. The end of summer, dry weather, rain and shorter days mean less sun, fewer options and a worse mood. Not only the temperature changes, but also the air pressure and humidity, there are changes in fronts and weather conditions.

Like during spring, autumn brings with it a lowered immune system, infections, excessive cytokine release. In addition, in autumn, due to the lack of sunlight, little serotonin is produced in the body, which makes fatigue worse. There is even a higher likelihood of depression and suicide - this period is even known as the suicide season.

Tip: Do you have symptoms of depression?

Tried and tested tips and tricks to fight fatigue

Whether it's spring or autumn, whether from physical exhaustion or mental stress, it's still fatigue. It still makes us uncomfortable being the same. It brings us to our knees, plus it lowers the body's defenses, causing various illnesses.

Fortunately, there are various ways to kick-start the exhausted body and eliminate fatigue to varying degrees.

Which ones are?

Fight fatigue with sufficient vitamin intake

Vitamin B12 can also be called the energy bomb among vitamins. It is important in the formation of sugars from ingested carbohydrates. Thus, getting enough of this vitamin ensures that we have enough energy. In case of a heavy and exhausting period, its intake is important. It also ensures the proper functioning of the brain and nervous system, thus increasing concentration and memory. This keeps us alert and more focused, which is the opposite of the concentration disorders that arise with fatigue.

Vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid) is the most famous vitamin ever.

Its deficiency causes serious health disorders. It is an important antioxidant and is responsible for the proper functioning of the body. It is essential for the proper immunity of the body. Its intake should therefore be the basis of every diet of meteosensitive people during periods of risk.

People more sensitive to weather changes should also ensure that they get enough magnesium (Mg).

Magnesium is very popular in society. It is taken by people who are being treated for arterial hypertension to regulate blood pressure, and it is also used as a supplement to treat hyperventilation tetany and other psychological disorders. It is also well known to people overwhelmed by the stresses of modern times because it helps reduce fatigue.

It is even mentioned most often with the prevention and elimination of fatigue. It is, like vitamin B12, important for proper brain function, and also regulates blood sugar levels.

Getting enough sun really heals

The sun's rays invigorate the body and mind. They are pleasantly warm and activate the production of serotonin - the happiness hormone. The latter is known to improve not only mood but also the general state of the body, eliminating fatigue, and replenishing energy lost during the winter.

In reality, however, serotonin is not a hormone, but a neurotransmitter, a substance that affects the activity of the nervous system. It is found between the nerve connections (synapses), where nerve impulses are transmitted. Having enough of it in this area not only improves mood, but fights depression and fatigue.

Of course, even the pleasure of the sun must be absorbed in moderation, otherwise there is a risk of overheating from the sun, dehydration or muscle cramps.

Regular ventilation oxygenates the body

A sufficient intake of oxygen into the body is very important. By regularly ventilating the rooms in the flat or house, we ensure that the air flows and that the nervous system feels the freshness of the air. Only a sufficiently oxygenated brain can function properly.

In addition, ventilation brings out the exhaled air. This reduces the risk of diseases and infections, especially during seasonal periods. It increases immunity.

Regular exercise against fatigue

Are you thinking that exercise will make you even more tired than you already are? Then you are very much mistaken. Any kind of physical activity causes the heart to beat faster and blood pressure to increase. The body from the brain, to the lungs, to all the muscles is more blooded and thus more oxygenated.

By oxygenating the body, the body gets a jump start and fatigue disappears. Isn't that so? Try to get up one morning, exercise for at least 10 minutes. You will see for yourself that you will feel like you have been reborn and you will start your day in a completely different spirit.

Relaxation therapy? What does that mean?

Relaxation therapy is a very popular form of relaxation for those people who cannot relax. It is relatively new and its origin is due to stress, the incidence of which is increasing along with the incidence of fatigue, apathy and psychological disorders.

Its aim is to relax and loosen not only the muscles of the constantly tense body, but especially the mind absorbed in everyday life. It is suitable for the transition of the seasons, when we are sometimes unconsciously exposed to excessive load and stress leading to exhaustion.

By relaxation therapy we mean any relaxing activity (taking a walk, listening to soothing music, painting pictures, playing a musical instrument, reading a book...) which ultimately reduces the activity of the sympathetic nervous system, lowers blood pressure, heart action, slows down breathing, relaxes the muscles, relaxes the mind and at the same time strengthens the immune system.

Invigorating caffeine - yes or no?

The caffeine contained in coffee, but now also in energy drinks, is a substance that gives us a kick. One cup of coffee in the morning is not a bad thing. However, excessive caffeine intake can lead to excessive fatigue or significantly exacerbate it during withdrawal from this substance.

It is not advisable to drink high amounts of caffeine. Addiction to it can cause your intake to increase. The condition will then escalate to the point where morning cups of coffee will not wake you up, you will be apathetic during the day and more tired.

As a substitute for caffeine, you may prefer to have lemon balm or nettle tea. Adequate fluid intake during the day will keep your mind awake. Of course, if you are used to 5-6 cups of coffee a day, the reduction should be gradual.