Spring is here, with its bright sunshine and the reawakening of all things. Flowers bloom, filling the air with their fragrance alongside the singing of birds, creating a season that stirs complex emotions. Some cherish the warmth and vitality of spring, while others struggle with spring sleepiness, feeling lethargic all day long. In reality, excessive sleepiness is not beneficial to one’s health and may lead to a range of issues.
Long-term oversleeping can weaken the body. The body’s functions are enhanced during activity and diminished during rest. Excessive sleep disrupts this dynamic balance, causing the heart to weaken, leading to fatigue even with mild activity, creating a vicious cycle that leaves one feeling weak and exhausted.
Additionally, the enclosed bedroom environment may have poor air quality in the morning, with dust and bacteria breeding, making the respiratory system vulnerable to infections. Oversleepers may experience symptoms such as coughing and sore throat upon waking up.
Lack of appropriate physical activity can also result in muscle stiffness and the accumulation of metabolic waste, leading to weakness in limbs and back pain upon waking up.
The digestive system is also affected, as irregular meals can disrupt the secretion of gastric juices, compromising digestion.
Finally, the nervous system can be affected by prolonged sleep, resulting in daytime fatigue and difficulty concentrating.
Facing spring sleepiness, traditional Chinese medicine offers some solutions. The ancient wisdom of health preservation mentions “ming yun gu” and “shu yu jin” as effective methods to alleviate spring sleepiness. “Ming yun gu” refers to lightly tapping the back of the head to vibrate the ears, enhancing the functions of the ears and kidneys and improving sleep quality. “Shu yu jin” involves swallowing saliva to nourish the body and refresh the mind.
In addition to these traditional techniques, adjusting one’s lifestyle is crucial. Moderate exercise, maintaining a well-lit environment, listening to soothing music, and enjoying natural scents can effectively boost one’s spirits and combat spring sleepiness. Spring sleepiness is essentially the body’s natural response to adapting to environmental changes during the seasonal transition. With proper lifestyle adjustments and a positive mindset, one can easily cope with it and enjoy the beauty of spring.
