Why do summer fatigue symptoms appear in September? The relationship between lethargy, stiff shoulders, and lower back pain.
"The heat has subsided a bit, but I still feel sluggish."
"I've been tired since this morning and I don't really feel like moving."
"My shoulder stiffness and lower back pain have gotten worse since the end of summer."
As September approaches, more and more people start experiencing these kinds of health problems.
This is because, in addition to the fatigue accumulated during the summer, factors such as the temperature difference between morning/evening and daytime, and changes in daily routines, all combine to cause discomfort.
This time, we'll explain why summer fatigue tends to manifest in September, its relationship to lethargy, stiff shoulders, and lower back pain, and what you can do at home to combat it.
Why summer fatigue tends to manifest in September
During the summer, we put various kinds of strain on our bodies without even realizing it.
Combining factors that lead to fatigue include going back and forth between the hot outdoors and air-conditioned indoors, difficulty sleeping and resulting shallow sleep, increased consumption of cold drinks and food, and reduced physical activity due to the heat.
Even if you can get through the hot season with a sense of tension and momentum, you may feel very tired once the temperature drops a little.
The following factors are primarily involved:
1. The physical strain caused by heat and sweating
In summer, we sweat to lower our body temperature.
Water in the body not only transports nutrients and oxygen, but also plays a role in regulating body temperature by releasing sweat. Dehydration can lead to symptoms such as dizziness, nausea, and loss of appetite.
If you remain dehydrated even after the weather cools down, it can lead to a feeling of heaviness in your body and increased fatigue.
2. The difference between the air conditioner temperature and the outside temperature.
When you go from the hot outdoors to an air-conditioned room, your body has to adapt to the sudden temperature change.
Furthermore, in September, even if the mornings and evenings are cool, there are days when it's hot during the day. It can be difficult to adjust clothing and room temperature, and your body may not be able to cope with the changes in the environment.
When air conditioning blows directly onto the neck, shoulders, and lower back for extended periods, some people tend to hunch their bodies, leading to increased muscle tension.
3. Poor sleep quality
If you have trouble sleeping in the summer heat, or if you stay up late for extended periods, you may find it difficult to recover from fatigue even if you get enough sleep.
Sleep deprivation not only hinders recovery from fatigue, but can also lead to health problems such as loss of appetite and indigestion.
If your sleep rhythm doesn't return to normal even in September, you're likely to continue experiencing symptoms like feeling sluggish in the morning, difficulty concentrating, and stiffness in your shoulders and neck.
4. Nutritional deficiencies due to loss of appetite
When the heat reduces your appetite and you end up eating only simple meals like somen noodles or bread more often, you're more likely to lack the nutrients necessary for physical activity.
Also, some people experience stomach upset if they consume too many cold drinks or foods.
Even if your appetite returns in September, the effects of your summer diet may not disappear immediately and may manifest as fatigue.
The relationship between summer fatigue and stiff shoulders
When you're tired, your posture tends to deteriorate unconsciously.
Maintaining postures such as leaning your head forward, hunching your back, and raising your shoulders puts a strain on the muscles in your neck and shoulders.
Furthermore, the increased tendency to hunch over due to air conditioning or temperature differences can also lead to tension in the neck and shoulders.
Those experiencing the following conditions should be cautious.
- My neck and shoulders have been heavy since this morning.
- Rotating my shoulders doesn't make me feel any better.
- My head juts forward while I'm doing desk work.
- I feel like I'm breathing shallowly.
- I feel a headache along with stiff shoulders.
It's important to check not only the movement of the neck and shoulders, but also the movement of the chest, shoulder blades, and back.
The relationship between summer fatigue and lower back pain
During hot weather, people tend to go out less, exercise less, and spend more time sitting.
Sitting for long periods of time can reduce the movement of your hips and back, which can cause strain to concentrate on your lower back when you stand up.
Additionally, getting cold in the lower body due to air conditioning or sleeping in an unnatural position due to discomfort can also lead to stiffness around the waist.
especially,
- I feel heavy in my lower back when I wake up in the morning.
- My lower back hurts the moment I stand up from my chair.
- My lower back doesn't stretch easily after sitting for a long time.
- It's taut up to my buttocks and thighs.
If this describes you, it's possible that not only your lower back but also the movement of your pelvis, hip joints, and spine is impaired.
5 fatigue prevention strategies to try in September
1. Drink fluids frequently.
As the weather cools down, we tend to feel less thirsty, but hot days continue into September.
Instead of drinking a large amount at once, replenish your fluids little by little at set times, such as after waking up, with meals, or before and after bathing.
If you sweat profusely, you need to replenish not only fluids but also salt.
2. Establish a consistent wake-up time.
Try to keep your waking time consistent, even on weekends.
Opening the curtains and letting in sunlight when you wake up in the morning can also help regulate your sleep-wake cycle.
3. Soak in the bathtub.
Don't just take a shower because it's hot; make sure to set aside days to soak in water at a comfortable temperature.
Warming your body makes it easier to relax, and helps release tension in your neck, shoulders, and lower back.
However, if you are feeling unwell or suspect you have a fever or are dehydrated, please avoid taking long baths.
4. Light physical activity
When I'm tired, I just want to rest without moving at all.
However, maintaining the same posture for extended periods can actually cause stiffness in the neck, shoulders, and lower back.
To begin with, the following is sufficient.
- A walk of about 10-15 minutes
- Slowly rotate your shoulders back and forth.
- Curling or straightening your back while sitting in a chair
- Gently move your hip joint.
- Take five deep breaths.
Start with something that warms you up a little, rather than strenuous exercise.
5. Don't skip meals.
Even when you have no appetite, don't skip meals completely; instead, eat small amounts of whatever you can manage.
It's important to avoid relying solely on rice and noodles, and instead combine them with meat, fish, eggs, soy products, and vegetables.
If your shoulder stiffness and lower back pain persist even after resting, you should also check your body's movement patterns.
If you continue to experience shoulder stiffness or lower back pain even after adjusting your lifestyle, it's possible that there's still strain on your posture or body movements.
At Re・Set Hashimoto, a chiropractic salon, we don't just focus on the painful area; we also examine posture, shoulder blades, pelvis, hip joints, and back movement, and provide treatment tailored to each individual's condition.
"I can't shake off the fatigue from summer."
"My body feels heavy, and I can't concentrate on my work."
"My shoulder stiffness and lower back pain have gotten worse than before."
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it's a good idea to take a look at your physical condition before autumn truly arrives.
We will help you reset your tired mind and body, and prepare your body for tomorrow.
Guidelines for when you should consult a medical institution
If you experience severe fatigue that lasts for a long period, or if you have symptoms such as fever, shortness of breath, chest pain, confusion, rapid weight loss, or severe numbness or weakness in your hands and feet, please consult a medical institution instead of waiting to see if your condition improves with chiropractic treatment.
Even if it appears to be just summer fatigue, there may be other underlying causes such as anemia, infection, or thyroid disease.
【reference】
Health and Longevity Network: "How much water should you drink per day?"
