For most people, spring arrival is associated with a good mood. There are others, however, for whom this time of year sometimes occurs with fatigue, sadness, lack of motivation, among other symptoms of malaise. The reason may be the so-called asthenia of spring ! What is spring asthenia? Spring asthenia is not a well-defined clinical entity but represents a set of symptoms that can appear in early spring . Symptoms usually start between March and April , their intensity varies from person to person, and can be: Fatigue or unexplained tiredness from another cause; Sadness; Lack of motivation; Difficulty concentrating; Change in sleep pattern, with difficulty falling asleep or insomnia; Decreased libido; Lack of appetite; Irritability; Headache or muscle pain. The good news is that these symptoms of spring asthenia are temporary and do not last longer than 2-3 weeks . What are the causes of these symptoms? Our brain produces different neurotransmitters , or chemical mediators, such as serotonin, melatonin or cortisol, which interfere with the regulation of mood, emotions, or sleep rhythm. The amounts of these neurotransmitters circulating in our body influence the way we feel , sleep or develop our mental activities and emotions. And its production level is regulated, among others, by sun exposure . So, in spring, when clocks go forward 1 hour on the last weekend of March and the number of hours of light and sun exposure increase, our biological clock changes. At this time, the human body has to adapt to variations in the production of neurotransmitters and some of the symptoms described above associated with spring asthenia may appear, depending on the individual sensitivity. Other factors may also contribute to symptoms of spring asthenia, for example: History of pollen allergy in which, in addition to allergic symptoms, mood swings, fatigue or symptoms of sadness may coexist; Stress, a sedentary lifestyle, or seasonal changes in the work schedule. Spring asthenia therapy Although physical and psychological symptoms are temporary, they can interfere with individual well-being. Since there is no specific therapy for spring asthenia, it is necessary to prevent or alleviate its symptoms . For this, healthy living habits and giving the body what was missing during the winter – sun exposure and outdoor activities – is essential. Also follow the following recommendations: Get 7-8 hours of sleep a night , keeping bedtime and waking times constant; Get up early in the morning and enjoy the early hours for a walk or run. Leaving the car at home and walk to work (or part of the distance) or by bicycle is a good solution if you think you do not have time to morning walk or run; Get moderate physical exercise on a regular basis , at least 40-50 minutes, 3-4 times a week. Physical exercise increases the release of endorphins and the feeling of well-being. It is very important be active and reduce sedentary lifestyle; Eat a balanced and varied diet , rich in fruits, nuts and vegetables. Avoid processed or fast food; Maintain a good state of hydration by drinking enough water; Try to reduce your stress levels : organize your day-to-day tasks with some free time for leisure activities, physical exercise, social activities, and adequate rest. When to seek medical care If your symptoms persist for more than 2-3 weeks , or if you have any doubts that your symptoms could be spring asthenia or another illness, you should seek for medical advice in a consultation or videoconsultation . Spring asthenia can be confused with other illnesses, notably with seasonal depression . Seasonal depression is usually a recurring illness; It is more common in women, people with previous psychiatric illness, or those with a family history of psychiatric illness; This disease requires medical follow-up and treatment. If you need, you can always contact LUZ 24 – 217 104 424 – the telephone clinical triage service of the Hospital da Luz network, available 24 hours a day, 365 days . Author : Ana Sofia Corredoura Meet the internal medicina clinical team from Hospital da Luz network. The content published in the Health Guide is intended for the general public and is provided for informational and educational purposes only. It does not replace individual medical assessment, diagnosis, or personalized clinical advice from a qualified healthcare professional. The content is produced or reviewed by physicians and other healthcare professionals at Hospital da Luz and is based on the knowledge available at the time of publication or the most recent update, as indicated at the beginning of each item.
