Spring fatigue debunked: Study finds no scientific basis for seasonal tiredness

The idea of spring fatigue, known as Frühlingsmüdigkeit, is widely accepted in German-speaking countries. Yet a new study from the University of Basel suggests it may not actually exist. Researchers found no scientific basis for the common belief that people feel more tired in spring than at other times of year.

The study began with an online survey where many participants reported suffering from spring fatigue. However, when researchers conducted detailed interviews over a full year, they found no evidence of increased tiredness during spring. Fatigue levels remained steady across all seasons.

One possible explanation is the labelling effect—people expect to feel tired in spring, so they notice fatigue more. Another theory involves cognitive dissonance: when people don't feel the burst of energy they associate with spring, they look for a reason, settling on the idea of spring fatigue.

The term itself is almost unknown outside German-speaking regions. International colleagues in the study were surprised to hear about it. In English, the closest phrase—spring fever—actually describes the opposite: a surge of energy and vitality.

The researchers also examined whether rapid changes in daylight affected fatigue. They found no link between the speed of seasonal light shifts and how tired participants felt.

The findings challenge a long-held cultural belief. Spring fatigue, according to the study, is not a medical reality but likely a psychological one. Without scientific proof, the phenomenon may stem more from expectation than actual physical changes.