Spring is often associated with a sense of rejuvenation and vitality, but for some individuals, it can bring about a different set of challenges. The arrival of the new season may not necessarily guarantee an uplift in mood and energy levels. In fact, the phenomenon known as ‘spring asthenia’, or spring fatigue, can lead to feelings of low energy and a dip in mood.

Although not medically recognized as a diagnosable condition, spring asthenia is a concept familiar to many. It is characterized by a temporary and manageable period of decreased energy and mood shifts as the season transitions. However, it’s essential to recognize that these changes could also be indicative of seasonal affective disorder (SAD), a form of depression that can impact individuals during the summer months as well as in winter.

Dr. Ashwin Sharma, a clinical content lead and medical doctor at online pharmacy MedExpress, explains that spring-onset SAD causes symptoms of depression to emerge in the late spring to early summer months. Unlike the more common fall-onset SAD, which is associated with reduced sunlight exposure in the winter, the exact causes of spring-onset SAD are not fully understood. Some theories suggest that the lengthening days and increased light exposure in spring may disrupt circadian rhythms and melatonin production in certain individuals.