Monsoon Fatigue Is Real: Here's What Makes You Feel So Tired Even If You Aren't Doing Much

You know what I mean when I say it. You slept well for a full eight hours. You don't have a fever. Yet, by the second day, you can barely make sense of the mails you read over and over again.

For people who have this condition regularly, it is usually around June. The fatigue can last up to a month. It is not classified as a clinical diagnosis but trust me, most doctors I know have heard of this, and they have no doubt about the solution. Here's my guide on what's happening to your body and what you can actually do about it.

Is "Monsoon Fatigue" Actually A Medical Condition?

While there is no definitive test or hormone imbalance that indicates monsoon fatigue, it's usually a confluence of factors that contribute to these feelings

Think of it as a series of small events that individually may not seem like much, but together can leave you feeling lethargic and tired. For instance, grey skies that throw your internal clocking off or the change in food you eat during this time of the year.

Think of it as a series of small events that individually may not seem like much, but together can leave you feeling lethargic and tired.

Here's a breakdown of some of the biggest culprits and the best ways to address them in your daily life.

1. Grey Skies Make Your Internal Clock Go Haywire

Your body uses the light from sunrise to tell you it's time to be awake. When the cloudy sky allows less light to penetrate, it confuses your body into thinking it's still night

Even if it's only 9 AM, a dark sky can make your body continue producing melatonin, a hormone associated with sleep, beyond what the time would suggest.

What actually works: Don't wait for the sun to come out. Open the curtains the second you get up and take a short walk if the skies clear up a bit. It's more important not to deviate from your sleep schedule than to expose yourself to natural light.

2. The Humidity Drains Your Energy

Monsoon weather isn't as hot as summer, but the dampness and increased level of humidity in the air make your body work harder to cool itself down

Even if your day is fairly sedentary, the fact that your body has to expend extra energy to maintain internal equilibrium can make you feel tired. A humid night can also affect your body's ability to enter a restorative sleep leading to insufficient rest. Since grey weather makes us feel cooler, many of us also end up dehydrated as we don't feel the need to drink as much water as we usually would, and dehydration can lead to fatigue.

What actually works: Drink lots of water throughout the day. Keep hydrated and make sure your sleeping environment isn't overly humid if possible. Try wearing breathable, light clothes.

3. Rain Can Keep You Indoors And Sedentary

You skip the morning walk because it's raining. Your evening gym session is postponed for the next day. You opt for the lift over the stairs. These changes in routine may not seem like much, but you can easily find yourself in a much more sedentary position without realizing it.

While it may not seem like much, a sedentary lifestyle is not beneficial to your body and can result in fatigue.

What actually works: You needn't exercise rigorously. Even 10 minutes of stretching in the morning can help. Find small ways to move your body throughout the day.

4. Comfort Foods Can Lead To Post Meal Slumps

It's easy to feel like nothing tastes as good as when it's raining, but eating foods that are high in fat and carbohydrates will tax your system and lead to fatigue.

What actually works: Eat healthy meals in between. Keep the packoras but ensure you don't keep them as your only meal option. Have proteins and other healthy foods in between and go for post-meal walks if possible.

5. Reduced Sun Exposure Can Mean Less Vitamin D

Your body produces vitamin D with sun exposure. If you are indoors for long periods of time, you may find yourself with reduced levels of this particular hormone.

What actually works: If you are feeling excessively tired, it's best to check with your doctor before going on a vitamin D binge.

While vitamin D deficiency can lead to fatigue, there could be other reasons for your condition, and unnecessary megadoses of the hormone can actually be harmful.

If you suspect you may have vitamin D deficiency, schedule an appointment with your healthcare provider to discuss your symptoms and concerns in detail. It's always best to let a professional determine what's causing your fatigue. In the meantime, sit in the sun as much as you can (sitting in a room with a window doesn't count) and eat foods that are rich in vitamin D.

6. Your Sleep Schedule Is Disrupted

There's something so cozy about watching the rain fall on the windows as you lie in bed. As a result, people tend to go to bed a little later and take longer naps on cloudy days during the monsoon

When you don't go to sleep at the same time every day, it throws your body clocking off just as much as the lack of sunlight during the day does

What actually works: Keep your sleeping pattern more or less the same even if it's raining. If you do take a nap, keep it short. Taking naps too late in the day can disrupt your sleep during the night.

7. Sometimes It's An Infection, Not The Monsoon

Monsoon can be hard on your body, but it's important to keep an eye out for other potential symptoms of an illness.

The monsoon season can sometimes bring out infections that have been lying dormant. While fatigue is one of the most common initial symptoms of most infections, it's one of the last to leave as well. If you find yourself experiencing other symptoms like fever or body pains, it's best to consult with a medical professional and rule out the possibility of an illness.

Monsoon Fatigue: Is It Normal To Feel So Tired?

While extra tiredness on a cloudy, rainy day is completely normal, it's not normal to feel constantly drained and fatigued for up to a month. If it's severely affecting your day-to-day life, it's best to schedule an appointment with your doctor. There could be many other reasons for your exhaustion, like anemia or irregular sleep patterns, that need to be ruled out.

Quick Recap: 7 Things To Help You Tackle The Monsoon Slump

Light exposure, sleep, hydration, exercise, diet, vitamin D deficiency, and other infections can all cause fatigue during the monsoon season. While many of these have obvious solutions, it's important to ensure that your symptoms aren't a result of something more severe. These are some quick tips to help you address these issues.

Things you can actually do about it:

Expose yourself to light as soon as possible in the day.

Keep hydrated

Move indoors.

Have healthy meals in between.

Don't self medicate.

Keep sleep schedule steady.

If you're experiencing additional symptoms like fever, body pains, or constant fatigue, see your doctor.

The Bottom Line

Your monsoon fatigue isn't a product of laziness, but it's easy to solve. Just a few necessary but simple changes to your daily routine will help you tackle it. If these aren't enough, it's time to visit a doctor.

Quick Answers: FAQs

Why do I feel tired when it rains?

Reduced light exposure, increased humidity, a more sedentary lifestyle, disrupted sleep patterns, and dietary changes during the monsoon can all contribute to fatigue. It's rarely a result of just one factor.

Can humidity during the monsoon cause fatigue?

Yes, increased humidity during the monsoon can cause fatigue. Essentially, your body has to work harder to cool itself down by sweating, and that can expend extra energy.

Can I take vitamin D supplements to address monsoon fatigue?

No, you shouldn't take vitamin D supplements without consulting a medical professional. Fatigue is not usually a symptom of vitamin D deficiency, and unnecessary megadoses of the hormone can actually be harmful.

How long does monsoon fatigue usually last?

If your fatigue persists for more than a few weeks, it's best to consult a doctor to rule out any other potential medical conditions.

Can I take a nap to help with monsoon fatigue?

It depends on how long you take the nap. A short 20-30 minute nap earlier in the day can help. However, napping for long periods of time or later in the day can interfere with your nighttime sleep cycle and exacerbate fatigue.