As the clocks change: Fighting the feeling of spring fatigue

The clocks change overnight and while many of us love the extra daylight hours some may struggle with the change thanks to spring fatigue.

The exact cause of spring fatigue has not been scientifically classified. It is suspected that hormones, blood pressure, and nutrition play a major role.

Greater amounts of sunlight in spring activates the production of the mood-boosting hormone serotonin in the morning, while at the same time melatonin, which is responsible for sleep, is still highly active placing stress on the body.

The rising temperatures also impacts body temperature and therefore blood pressure. When it gets warm, blood vessels dilate and blood pressure drops. The result is fatigue.

Whatever the causes behind springtime fatigue, the symptoms can be actively counteracted. What the body lacked in winter can be given back to it in spring: Sun, fresh air, exercise and a vitamin-rich diet.

There is no quick fix for kicking your body into the new season but short walks and extra nutrition helps as does maintaining a regular sleep pattern in spite of the brighter mornings.