It is well said that 'Spring sleepiness is unaware of the dawn'

Are you familiar with the poem 'Spring sleepiness is unaware of the dawn'? It is quite famous, so many of you have likely heard it.
It means, 'Spring sleep is so pleasant that one does not even notice the break of dawn.'

It is a line from the poem 'Spring Dawn' by a Chinese poet, and the full text is as follows.

This alone might be hard to understand. Let's look at a modern translation.

Looking at it this way, it feels quite nice. It brings the scenery of nature to mind.
There is also a slight sense of melancholy drifting through it.

I also cannot help but feel sleepy every year during this season.
Why does spring make us so sleepy?
It seems there are various reasons for this.

1. The daylight hours, which were short during winter, suddenly become longer in spring, causing a discrepancy with our internal clocks. This discrepancy seems to cause sleepiness and lethargy.

2. In spring, there is a large temperature difference between morning/evening and midday, and the body uses energy to adjust to this. The autonomic nervous system becomes fatigued, making it easier to feel sleepy and tired.

3. Spring is a season where activity levels naturally increase. However, if the body is still in 'winter mode,' the supply of oxygen and nutrients cannot keep up, and it is said that the brain sends out a signal to 'rest,' leading to sleepiness.

4. Spring is often a time when new environments and lifestyles begin, which can be stressful. Stress can disrupt the secretion of hormones related to relaxation (serotonin) or interfere with the regulation of hormones that affect sleep (melatonin), making sleepiness more likely to occur.

5. In early spring, eating habits tend to change, and a lack of vitamins or iron can lead to mild anemia, which is also a cause of sleepiness.

As you can see, it is not just that it feels pleasant and makes you sleepy; there are physiological and environmental reasons for it.
It was not just a 'case of laziness.' I am relieved.

Since we cannot just sleep all the time, I will introduce some ways to overcome sleepiness.

1. To reset your internal clock, you should soak up the morning sun.
When you wake up in the morning, first open the curtains and bathe in the sunlight. If possible, go outside, stretch, and soak up the morning sun with your whole body. By doing this, your internal clock will gradually adjust.

2. Try to eat a proper breakfast.
It is especially effective to be conscious of proteins like eggs, yogurt, and natto, as well as B-group vitamins found in brown rice, bananas, and liver. This ensures that energy reaches the brain properly and prevents groggy sleepiness.

3. A 15-20 minute nap is optimal for dealing with sleepiness after lunch.
Even taking just five minutes to nap will make you feel refreshed. Sleeping for more than 30 minutes seems to make you feel sluggish instead. If you are at work, it is a good idea to set a timer. I always used to set one.

4. Doing light stretches or taking a walk in the morning or afternoon stimulates the sympathetic nervous system and helps you feel sharp. Even 10 minutes of light exercise a day or using the stairs is effective.

5. Staying up late or sleeping too much on your days off to 'catch up' is counterproductive. Try to go to bed and wake up at the same time as much as possible.

6. For those who feel lethargic for a long time and think, 'I feel groggy all day, both morning and afternoon...', there may be another cause.
It might be a good idea to consult with an internal medicine doctor once.

I want to spend every day feeling energetic.

Thank you for reading.
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I look forward to your continued support.

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