Springtime lethargy is the state of fatigue, lowered energy, or depression associated with the onset of spring. Such a state may be caused by a normal reaction to warmer temperatures, or it may have a medical basis, such as allergies or reverse

seasonal affective disorder Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a mood disorder subset, in which people who have normal mental health throughout most of the year exhibit depressive symptoms at the same time each year. Common symptoms include sleeping too much, having l ...

. In many regions, there is a springtime peak in suicide rates. Psychological and socio-cultural factors also play a role. The opening lines of Eliot's classic poem express some of the complex emotional associations that may be familiar to those who experience dark moods in the spring: Occasionally, such lethargy or depression may be described as "

spring fever Spring fever is any of a number of mood, physical, or behavioral changes which may be experienced coinciding with the onset of spring, particularly restlessness, laziness, and amorousness. Overview The term ''spring fever'' may refer to an increa ...

", though this term also relates to an ''increase'' in energy and restlessness or to romantic and sexual feelings in the spring. The German term '' Frühjahrsmüdigkeit'' (lit. "Spring fatigue") is the name for a temporary mood or physical condition, typically characterized by a state of low energy and weariness, experienced by many people in springtime. It is not in the category of a diagnosed illness but rather a phenomenon thought to be initiated by a change in the season. Reportedly, an estimated 50–75% of people in Germany have experienced its effect.

Symptoms

In the northern hemisphere, the symptoms usually arise from mid-March to mid-April, and depending on the person, they may be more or less pronounced. Weariness (despite an adequate amount of sleep), sensitivity to changes in the weather, dizziness, irritability, headaches, and sometimes aching joints and a lack of drive are the most common.

Causes

Although the causes of this springtime lethargy have not yet been fully resolved, hormone balance may play a role. According to this hypothesis, the body's reserves of the "happiness hormone" serotonin, whose production depends on daylight, become exhausted over the winter, making it especially easy for the "sleep hormone"

melatonin Melatonin is a natural product found in plants and animals. It is primarily known in animals as a hormone released by the pineal gland in the brain at night, and has long been associated with control of the sleep–wake cycle. In vertebrat ...

to have its effect. When the days become longer in springtime, the body readjusts its hormone levels, and more

endorphin Endorphins (contracted from endogenous morphine) are chemical signals in the brain that block the perception of pain and increase feelings of wellbeing. They are produced and stored in an area of the brain known as the pituitary gland. Hist ...

testosterone Testosterone is the primary sex hormone and anabolic steroid in males. In humans, testosterone plays a key role in the development of male reproductive tissues such as testes and prostate, as well as promoting secondary sexual characteris ...

, and

estrogen Estrogen or oestrogen is a category of sex hormone responsible for the development and regulation of the female reproductive system and secondary sex characteristics. There are three major endogenous estrogens that have estrogenic hormonal a ...

are released. This changeover puts a heavy strain on the body, which responds with a feeling of tiredness. In addition, temperatures usually fluctuate greatly in springtime. When temperatures rise, a person's blood pressure drops, since the blood vessels expand. The expansion of blood vessels is called vasodilation. Food also plays a role. In winter, one tends to consume more calories, fat, and carbohydrates than in summer. But during the hormone adjustment period, the body requires more vitamins and proteins instead.

References

{{Reflist Weather and health Depression (mood)