In this article, we will learn about what spring asthenia consists of, as well as the factors that influence it and its prevention.
What is spring asthenia?
Spring asthenia is considered a manifestation of seasonal affective disorder (SAD), which affects many people, including athletes. It is characterized by variations in mood and vitality according to the season of the year (2).
Some authors distinguish two types of subjects, according to the distribution over time (2):
- Less activity in winter than in summer
- More activity in winter and less in spring or summer. In this latter case, spring asthenia is found.
These affective disorders related to the seasons affect between 1-10% of the population, being very common in northern areas and during the spring. However, asthenia symptoms develop more frequently during winter in northern European countries, leading to winter depression.
Main symptoms
The symptoms related to spring asthenia are as follows:
- Tiredness and general weakness, especially in the morning.
- Lack of energy.
- Drowsiness and problems regulating sleep.
- Loss of energy, appetite, and sexual energy.
- Irritability, nervousness, and anxiety.
- Headaches (cephalalgia).
- Discomfort at the muscular and joint level.
- Apathy.
- Low blood pressure.
- Lack of motivation.
It is important to note that these symptoms should not last more than 3 weeks after the start of spring. Otherwise, it could be an organic cause, such as anemia or vitamin deficiency.
Influential factors
The symptoms of spring asthenia are affected by various factors related to current society such as stress, hyperactivity, work overload, work-life balance, complex social relationships, etc. This translates into a decrease in mood and the adaptive capacity of the body to any type of change (4).
Is it more common in men or women?
According to various studies, 2% of the population will suffer some of the symptoms of spring asthenia throughout their lives, especially women between 20-25 years (4).
BION® Activate and spring asthenia
During the months of April to July 2010, an intervention study was conducted among patients with spring asthenia, who were administered the dietary supplement BION® Activate for one month. This supplement provided a wide variety of vitamins (A, B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B8, B9, B12, C, D, and E), minerals (Mg, Fe, Zn, Mn, I, Se, Cr, and Mo), probiotics (Lactobacillus gasseri, Bifidobacterium bifidum, and Bifidobacterium longum), extracts of Panax ginseng and Schisandra chinensis, and coenzyme Q10 (3).
What is BION® Activate for?
This dietary supplement is administered orally with the aim of maintaining a balance in energy expenditure derived from daily activity and to strengthen the body’s defenses under conditions of fatigue derived from social life.
Experimental study results
The results were evaluated according to the score obtained in two questionnaires with the Student’s t-test for paired samples and with Cohen’s d as an indicator of effect size (3).
|
Cohen’s d |
Score |
|---|---|
| d < 0.2 | Intervention with null or very small effect |
| d = 0.2-0.49 | Intervention with small effect |
| d = 0.5-0.79 | Intervention with intermediate or moderate effect |
| d > 0.8 | Intervention with significant or high effect |
The results of this intervention were classified according to different criteria: gender, age, and type of work. Additionally,
According to gender
The score of the first questionnaire in men was 44.6 and the score of the second questionnaire was 29.7. In contrast, in women, the initial questionnaire score was 39.0 and the final questionnaire score was 27.3 (p < 0.0001).
The feeling of fatigue was reduced in both genders (3)
According to age
In participants under 40 years old, the first questionnaire score was 40.8 and the final questionnaire score was 28.4 (p < 0.0001). In those over 40 years old, the initial questionnaire score was 41.6 and the final questionnaire score was 28.1 (p < 0.0001).
The dietary supplement was effective in both age groups regarding fatigue reduction (3).
According to the type of work
Those volunteers who had a sedentary job obtained a score in the first questionnaire of 41.3 and the second questionnaire was 28.2 (p < 0.0001). Similarly, those who had a more active job obtained a first score of 41.0 and a second of 30.3 (p < 0.0001).
Therefore, the feeling of fatigue was considerably reduced in both types of work (3).
Prevention of spring asthenia
There are several recommendations to prevent or reduce the symptoms of spring asthenia (5):
- Sleep at least 7 hours, respecting the same bedtime and wake-up times to maintain good physical and mental health.
- Healthy diet, low in fat and rich in fiber, as the consumption of fruits and vegetables provides the mineral salts lost during an increase in outside temperature, as well as the vitamins we need in our diet.
- Eliminate or reduce the consumption of tobacco, alcohol, caffeinated drinks or any type of toxic substance.
- Take five-minute breaks every hour during the workday to avoid stress.
- Encourage gentle intellectual activities that stimulate us during the day.
- Engage in moderate physical exercise, and whenever possible, outdoors.
- Try to maintain a positive attitude towards what surrounds us. In this way, the brain will release more endorphins, facilitating the transition from wakefulness to sleep.
- Try to increase the levels of serotonin in the body (hormone of happiness), so that our brain is in a state of relaxation and general well-being.
- Promote the formation of melatonin, a compound that regulates sleep, with foods rich in tryptophan such as turkey, chicken, milk, cheese, fish, eggs, tofu, soy, sesame seeds, pumpkin seeds, and nuts.
- Stay well hydrated (1.5-2 liters of water), avoiding any sugary and/or energy drinks.
Spring asthenia and its relationship with solastalgia and eco-anxiety
It has been shown that weather changes influence our mental health. In fact, two concepts have been introduced: solastalgia and eco-anxiety.
What is solastalgia?
Solastalgia is a term that was developed after a study conducted by a professor at the Catholic University of Chile, Fernando González. This professor conducted a study that was published in 2018 in the journal “Nature Climate Change” detailing how the increase in environmental temperature affects people’s mental health (6,7).
Studies directly link the increase in temperature with anxiety, stress, or depression problems.
[article ids=”52646″] Spring asthenia is also associated with solastalgia due to the various climate variations that occur, whether much more abundant and longer-lasting rains than usual, long heat waves, fogs, etc. Added to this are the various mental health problems derived from people who have suffered a natural disaster, whether a hurricane, an earthquake, floods, etc. Statistically, it has been shown that they have a 4% higher probability of having mental repercussions (6,7).
In summary, solastalgia is a feeling of distress and nostalgia for the environment as a result of natural disasters or extreme weather changes.
What is eco-anxiety?
The American Psychological Association (APA) defines eco-anxiety as “the chronic fear of suffering an environmental cataclysm that occurs when observing the impact of climate change on Earth and the associated concern for one’s future and that of future generations.” In fact, it has been stated that children and adolescents are the risk groups most prone to suffer from eco-anxiety (6,7).
This term, in addition to being related to spring asthenia, has similarities with the definition of solastalgia.
Therefore, thoughts derived from a feeling of eco-anxiety result in a low mood, helplessness about the consequences of climate change, increased anger and rage, panic, as well as feelings of guilt, etc.
Conclusions
Spring asthenia is a consequence of affective disorders derived from seasonal changes, in this case, in spring. Its incidence has been related to a higher probability in women than in men, although in northern European countries, winter asthenia is more common.
Among the most notable symptoms of this disorder are tiredness, fatigue, headaches, insomnia, lack of energy, etc. The factors that influence the development of these symptoms are stress, hyperactivity, work overload, work-life balance, complex social relationships, etc.
Regarding the treatment of these symptoms, the use of the dietary supplement BION Activate, composed of a set of vitamins, minerals, probiotics, extracts of Panax ginseng and Schisandra chinensis, and coenzyme Q10, has been investigated. The results of a questionnaire conducted with participants in the intervention through the administration of this dietary supplement showed real efficacy against the signs of spring asthenia.
On the other hand, a series of aspects are also recommended to consider when preventing the symptoms of asthenia in spring, such as sleeping enough hours, maintaining a healthy diet, and engaging in moderate physical exercise outdoors.
Bibliographic references
- . Clinical practice guide for occupational medical examination. GEMO-001/Guides for Occupational Medical Evaluation. CENSOPAS; 2008
- Pachmana J. (2009). Evidence base for pre-employment medical screening. Bull World Health Organ; 87: 529-34
- Del campo-Balsa, M.T. et al. (2011). Journal of the Spanish Association of Occupational Medicine Specialists. Occupational Medicine, 20 (1): 1-54.
- García, J; Bassat, Q; Andrade; M. & Tarbal, A. (2022). The environment and its impact on maternal and child health: what are we facing?. A call for reflection and awareness. ISBN (13):978-84-09-40612-8: 1-300.
- Spring asthenia. (2017, May 9). Hospital Zone. https://zonahospitalaria.com/astenia-primaveral/
- Newbuny, Joanne B; et.al.(2019). Association of air pollution exposure with psychotic experiences during adolescence. JAMA Psychiatry.
- Hayes K. et al. (2018). Climate change and mental health: risks, impacts, and priority actions. Int J Ment Health Syst; 12 (28).
