ŌSPRING FEVER?Õ
Oh glorious spring. Nothing quite
matches the delicious warmth of the springtime sun, mild temperatures and
cooler nights without the high humidity all too familiar to midwestern summers.
Yet many chronically complain of fatigue during the springtime months unable to
enjoy the natural beauty of the season. ItÕs a common complaint.
There are many superstitious
beliefs about sudden spring illnesses but no one knows for sure the exact cause
of spring fever. Past generations blamed the sudden change in the weather or
catching a chill. Others swore the phases of the moon were the cause or the
direction in which your bed faced.
Superstitious or not it seems
spring fever can strike just about anyone at any age with varying symptoms. The
farmer stressed to get the crop in develops a bleeding ulcer, others might find
their psoriasis flaring up for no good reason, teenagers may find their face
suddenly broken out. Most simply
complain of being tired, fatigued and irritable.
There actually is an answer and it
is actually much simpler than one might think. Just as mother earth is in
transition from sleep mode our bodies are busy shifting gears as well. Each
spring the body cleans house. Outdoor exercise, gardening, just opening the
window to the outdoors sends oxygen rich blood to the liver stimulating it to
cleanse winterÕs heavier food and fats. These shifts in the internal organs
takes a great deal of energy leaving less energy for work, play and sound
sleep, therefore leaving us more open to illness.
You can speed this transition and
boost your energy by eating a lighter diet of less dense foods such as meats,
dairy and fats. The green foods of spring are your best choice. Asparagus is a
wonderful cleanse for the kidneys, dark leafy greens, chinese cabbage, and
lighter soups made with vegetable stock will stimulate internal organ energy
and lift feelings of fatigue.
If you are looking to loose weight
this spring your best chance to loose that weight and keep it off is by eating
naturally with all the seasons. Seasonal eating increases your deeper internal
organ energy and your metabolism therefore burning more calories. Conventional
diet foods such as salads, or no cal sodas always leave you feeling hungry.
Nutrient dense whole grains are not fattening and are the one food that should
be found in the diet year round.
Poor immunity is always part of the
picture when it comes to a bout of spring fever. Rotating the diet from the
heavier foods of winter is a sure way to lighten the load on your immune system
and build a bank of resistance against illness.
If you have long standing serious
health problems food alone may not be enough to end your bouts with spring
fever. But, were what we eat and we do have control over what and how much we
eat. ItÕs never too late to start. Till next time, Rebecca