Ah yes, spring fatigue! When winter is over and many people are already raring to go and finally spend more time outdoors, become more active and enjoy life to the full, a familiar phenomenon sets in – instead of endless energy, sluggishness and tiredness dominate the day. It almost seems as if hibernation seamlessly turns into springtime fatigue.

What is spring fatigue? When does it occur?

In our part of the world, spring fatigue usually strikes in March and April. Although the days are getting longer and temperatures are slowly rising again, we often feel tired, listless, exhausted and listless.

This often makes no sense to us – shouldn’t the rising temperatures and more daylight automatically give us more energy instead of having to drag ourselves out of bed, reluctantly going about our tasks during the day and yawning early in the evening?

So apparently this is not so simple. What exactly is behind this is not yet fully understood. However, it appears to be a hormonal change and the after-effects of winter.

Symptoms of spring fatigue

However, simply dismissing the phenomenon as fatigue may not be enough, as the symptoms can vary greatly. However, these symptoms are typical:

Tiredness and exhaustion: Even if you sleep long enough, you feel tired and listless during the day.

Lack of drive: You are less motivated for tasks that do not normally require much effort. The energy to do or undertake something is simply fragmentary.

Difficulty concentrating: Focusing on a task and completing it to your complete satisfaction is much more difficult and you also get distracted far too quickly.

Irritability and mood swings: Your mood can change quickly and you react irritably to small things.

Sleep disorders: Despite being tired, many people find it difficult to fall asleep and especially to sleep through the night.

Headaches and dizziness: these complaints also plague us time and again as part of spring fatigue.

But not everything is simply due to spring tiredness. If the symptoms mentioned last longer or are particularly severe, it is best to consult a doctor to clarify the causes of your symptoms medically.

Causes of spring fatigue

Science has not yet been able to fully or reliably answer the question of what is behind spring fatigue. However, it has identified various factors that can help shed light on the issue:

Hormonal changes: The change in hormones at the change of season can also have an effect on the sleep-wake rhythm and metabolism and thus cause or promote the symptoms.

Lack of sunlight: In winter, the days are shorter, which means we receive a small amount of sunlight. As a result, this can lead to a lack of vitamin D and serotonin – not ideal for our mood and drive.

Lack of exercise: Who likes to go out in winter temperatures to do sport or simply move from A to B? We spend most of the cold season indoors with little exercise – another reason for spring fatigue.

Nutrition: Nowadays we get a wide variety of food all year round. However, our eating habits in winter can still have an impact on our energy levels.

What to do against spring fatigue? 5 tips!

Exercise in the fresh air

Regular exercise in the fresh air – walking, cycling, jogging, etc. – can help the body overcome spring fatigue. This is because the increased supply of oxygen stimulates the circulation, improves energy supply and increases concentration.

Prolonged exposure to sunlight in turn has a positive effect on the metabolism and the immune system – because it produces the necessary vitamin D.

Physical activity also contributes to our relaxation and helps us to reduce stress, which also releases more energy. Taking a break from everyday life also brings mental relief. In addition, exercise and sunlight stimulate the production of the happiness hormone serotonin, which boosts our mood.

However, don’t overdo it with your sporting ambitions, but slowly get your body used to the increased activity again.

Social activity

Finally get out of your four walls again and revitalize your social contacts – this also helps to banish spring tiredness. Getting out and about again with family, friends, work colleagues and acquaintances offers a welcome distraction from everyday life and helps to clear your head.

Negative thoughts that we may be preoccupied with disappear more quickly when we do something with friends and laugh, have fun or experience personal support. Social encounters inspire us and give us fresh energy.

But the same applies here: don’t overtax yourself straight away – because not only sporting activities, but also your social life requires appropriate recovery phases in between. Just find the right balance.

Soak up the sun

Give the longer days and the return of the sun a proper welcome. As already mentioned, sunlight – via the production of vitamin D – also boosts the metabolism and the immune system. Your mood is automatically lifted as, among other things, the production of the happiness messenger serotonin is stimulated.

But sunlight is also a positive factor for sleep. This is because sunlight helps to establish a regular sleep-wake rhythm. It is easier to fall asleep and sleep is of a better quality.

The warmth of the sun brings more lightness into our lives – we are more relaxed, more motivated and simply have more energy. However, soaking up the sun does not necessarily mean sunbathing – go outside, increase your sun exposure slowly and make sure you have adequate sun protection at the same time.

Drink water

Simply wash away the spring tiredness. Because increased fluid intake also combats the typical symptoms – if the body is not sufficiently hydrated, this can promote general tiredness and exhaustion. Drink 2 to 3 liters of water or unsweetened herbal tea per day and you will notice that your general energy level increases, you can concentrate much better and you are also more productive and motivated.

However, sufficient hydration is not only important for mental performance, but also for physical performance. And both aspects influence each other – because when you are in good physical shape, you simply go through life more alert. Good hydration of the body is also of great importance for the metabolism – digestion is supported and metabolic products can be better excreted.

Your body temperature also contributes significantly to the feeling of tiredness – if you drink enough water, you help your body to regulate its temperature more easily.

Drinks containing caffeine such as coffee or highly sugary soft drinks are of course excluded from this.

Healthy diet

A healthy diet is also an important part of counteracting spring fatigue with suitable means. This is because a balanced supply of nutrients in particular is essential for energy levels and physical performance.

Natural nutrients help the body to keep blood sugar levels stable and thus avoid energy fluctuations and/or dips – overall, the body has more energy available and the mood is also lifted and drive increased.

But digestion and the composition of the intestinal flora are also an essential part of general well-being. And nutrition in particular can make a big difference.

Caffeine and sugar, on the other hand, may provide a short-term performance boost, but in the long term they rob the body of energy. Anyone who consumes a lot of coffee or sugar is therefore damaging their health in the long term. In any case, these substances are the worst possible way to escape spring fatigue. It is better to take the strain off your metabolism by doing without – that way it can regulate itself and get back on top form.

As a result, diversify your diet and eat foods from different food groups.

Extra tip: Nutrient plus colostrum

Colostrum, the food of mammals in the first hours after birth, contains an extremely high concentration of a wide variety of vital substances, which have been put together in a unique combination by nature itself. Cow colostrum in particular, with its high nutrient content, can also be extremely useful for us humans to combat springtime fatigue*.

(*Unfortunately, as a manufacturer/distributor of foodstuffs, we are prohibited from making healing statements regarding the effects of colostrum products on humans. We must therefore refer to worldwide medical publications and studies or to the relevant specialist literature).

Conclusion

If you want to get rid of spring fatigue, you should spend a lot of time in the fresh air, exercise, make a conscious effort to relax and ensure you get enough sleep.

But there is more you can do: A balanced diet with a variety of nutrients and sufficient fluid intake will give you a new lease of life and help your body to restructure its metabolism and provide energy.

In addition to your normal diet, natural food supplements such as Bestvital® BIO Colostrum can help you to absorb numerous and valuable nutrients to beat spring tiredness.