Seasonal Lethargy — Why Winter Drains Your Energy
Table of Contents
Lethargy in winter and the rainy season
As daylight hours shorten in winter and the rainy season, serotonin levels drop and melatonin rises, which often brings lethargy, oversleeping, carbohydrate cravings, and weight gain. Even short of full Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), many people notice a clear loss of vitality during these months.
How Korean medicine views the seasons and vitality
Korean medicine views winter as the season when yang energy (陽氣) gathers inward. People whose constitutions tend toward yang deficiency feel the cold especially keenly during this time, become reluctant to move, and digest poorly.
- Yang deficiency (陽虛) constitution: Cold hands and feet, cold lower abdomen, loose stool — formulas in the Bujaijung-tang (Fuzilizhong-tang) and Jinmu-tang (Zhenwu-tang) families
- Qi deficiency (氣虛) constitution: Fatigue so deep that even speaking feels burdensome, frequent colds — formulas in the Bojungikgi-tang family
- Moxibustion: Applied at Guanyuan (CV4) and Mingmen (GV4) to replenish yang energy
The importance of light and movement
Alongside Korean medicine treatment, getting 30+ minutes of natural light in the morning matters a great deal. Sunlight is essential for serotonin synthesis. If you spend most of your day indoors, a midday walk is highly recommended.
Wellness foods for winter
- Jujube tea, ginger tea — warm the spleen-and-stomach and support yang energy
- Black sesame, walnuts — black-colored foods that nourish the kidney (腎)
- Cut down on cold drinks and frozen treats; favor warm soups and stews instead