People should rise early and retire early, stretching their bodies in the garden or taking leisurely walks outdoors. Bathing in spring sunlight and breathing fresh air aligns with nature's rhythm of rising yang energy, effectively overcoming springtime lethargy.
What causes spring fatigue? How can it be alleviated?
Why Spring Fatigue Occurs
Spring fatigue stems from physiological changes triggered by seasonal transitions.During cold winters, the body responds to low temperatures by constricting skin capillaries, reducing blood flow, and closing sweat glands and pores to minimize heat loss and maintain normal body temperature. As spring arrives and temperatures rise, the body's pores, sweat glands, and blood vessels begin to dilate, increasing skin blood circulation. Consequently, blood supply to the brain relatively decreases.
As the weather warms, metabolism gradually increases, and oxygen consumption steadily rises, inevitably leading to insufficient oxygen supply to the brain. Combined with the benign stimulation of warm temperatures, the brain experiences a certain degree of inhibition. Consequently, people feel drowsy and sleepy, always feeling like they haven't had enough sleep. However, it is important to note that some pathological factors are also involved, and certain instances of "spring fatigue" can be symptoms of illness.For example: depressive symptoms preceding a psychotic episode; low-grade fever and drowsiness in the early stages of hepatitis; fatigue caused by chronic conditions like diabetes or heart disease leading to physical weakness. Some have also observed that springtime drowsiness and frequent yawning in hypertensive patients may signal an impending stroke. Therefore, "spring fatigue" stemming from illness should prompt a prompt medical examination for diagnosis.
How to Manage Spring Fatigue
Early to Bed, Early to Rise
Adequate rest and sleep in spring allow the body to adjust and replenish itself, enhancing its ability to withstand stress and reducing daytime drowsiness. Sleeping in does not increase blood supply to the brain; instead, it fosters lethargy, making one feel increasingly tired and sluggish.It's also important to avoid staying up late during spring to prevent triggering or worsening spring fatigue. Visual Stimulation Step outdoors this spring, gaze into the distance, and take in the beauty of nature. This visual stimulation can help alleviate spring fatigue. Dietary Adjustments A scientifically balanced diet also plays a positive role in combating spring fatigue.Spring meals should be light, fresh, and easily digestible. Vegetables like greens, carrots, wild chrysanthemum leaves, celery, bok choy, and water chestnuts are ideal choices. Minimize oily meat products to aid intestinal digestion and absorption. Increase intake of pungent foods like scallions, ginger, and garlic, which dispel dampness, purify impurities, promote blood circulation, and stimulate the brain's central nervous system.Additionally, prepare a porridge with 30g raw coix seeds, 20g mung beans, and 10g Chinese yam, or brew a tea using 20g kapok flowers and 15g adzuki beans. These methods effectively alleviate spring fatigue.
Perform Scalp Exercises
Regular scalp exercises in spring can dispel mental drowsiness.Method: First, naturally bend and bring together the fingers of both hands. Using fingertips, vigorously stroke the entire hairline 10 times from front to back, circling from the center to both sides. Next, firmly press each point along the same sequence three times. Then, using the same sequence, perform short back-and-forth scratching motions three times, scratching each area five times.Finally, gently massage the scalp five times in the same sequence. Performing this routine once daily upon waking and before bedtime can enhance vitality and mental agility, serving as a simple yet effective method to alleviate mental fatigue and drowsiness.
Scientific Brain Usage
Scientific brain usage involves allowing the left hemisphere to rest appropriately.The brain functions through distinct left and right hemispheres. During springtime routines, the left hemisphere primarily handles language, mathematics, and abstract thinking, while the right hemisphere—less engaged in intellectual tasks—remains relatively less taxed. Thus, when experiencing mental fog or headaches, set aside work to listen to music, admire flowers, or do calisthenics. This activates the right hemisphere while allowing the left to rest.More importantly, exercise ensures the brain—the body's largest consumer of oxygen—receives timely replenishment, helping to alleviate fatigue and restore alertness. Brushing Teeth and Washing Face Brushing teeth and washing your face is a simple yet effective method to combat spring fatigue. When drowsiness strikes, use aromatic toothpaste to brush and rinse, then splash your face with cold water to refresh your mind.
What exactly causes spring fatigue? How can it be alleviated? We've covered these points for you here. We trust you now have a clearer understanding. Finally, we sincerely wish you good health and a joyful life.