There are days when you’re not truly exhausted – but not exactly full of energy either.
You function.
You get things done, organise, respond.
And yet everything feels just a little heavier than it should.
Especially at this time of year, in the transition from winter to spring, many people know this feeling well.
The days are getting brighter, nature is beginning to shift – and yet your body still feels sluggish.
This so-called “spring fatigue” is not a sign of weakness.
It’s simply a reflection of the fact that your system needs time to adjust.
And still, in moments like these, many of us reach for quick fixes: another coffee, something sweet, a bit more discipline, another attempt to push ourselves forward.
But more often than not, the effect is short-lived – and leaves us feeling even more drained afterwards.
What if energy and renewed strength aren’t something we have to force into existence –
but something that is already there, waiting to be released when we give the body the right conditions?
Strength and energy are not just a mindset issue
We often talk about energy as though it were purely a matter of mindset.
But in reality, it is deeply connected to the body – more specifically, to the nervous system.
The autonomic nervous system operates through two main states:
- the activating branch (sympathetic nervous system)
- the regulating branch (parasympathetic nervous system)
In a healthy rhythm, we move between activation and recovery.
But for many people, this natural shift gets lost in everyday life.
The body remains in a slightly elevated state of activation.
Not necessarily in acute stress – but not truly at rest either.
After the darker winter months, this can feel especially noticeable.
Less light, less movement, more time indoors – all of this influences our energy levels more than we often realise.
And when spring brings a return of activity – more time outside, more movement, more momentum – the inner state doesn’t always catch up straight away.
This is where that sense of low energy often comes from:
not because we’re “doing too little”, but because the body hasn’t had enough opportunity to fully recover.
Why true relaxation is the foundation of energy
You might expect that with the arrival of spring, energy would come naturally – that sunlight, fresh air and longer days would wake us up almost automatically.
But that isn’t always the case.
In fact, spring is often a transition phase for the body as well.
While nature slowly comes back to life, our system is still adjusting – and often shows this through what we call “spring fatigue”.
When we give the body space to adjust at its own pace, and the nervous system begins to settle into a more regulated state, essential processes can take place:
- cellular regeneration
- hormonal balance
- improved circulation
- deeper breathing
The energy we’re looking for doesn’t come from pressure or effort.
It emerges when the body returns to a state in which it can support and restore itself.
Why acupressure can support this
Acupressure offers direct access to these processes – through the body, rather than through the mind.
Stimulation of pressure points
Applying targeted pressure to specific areas of the skin creates mechanical stimuli.
These signals are transmitted via nerve pathways and processed by the central nervous system.
Influence on the nervous system
Research suggests that acupressure can help regulate the nervous system and reduce stress-related activity.
The body is able to shift more easily from an activated state into a restorative one.
Circulation and muscle relaxation
The applied pressure can support local blood flow and help release muscular tension.
As a result, the tissue is better supplied – an important factor in how we experience energy.
Support of the body’s natural processes
Studies indicate that acupressure may stimulate the release of endorphins and positively influence overall wellbeing.
The key point is this:
Acupressure doesn’t “give” you energy in the conventional sense.
It helps your body return to a state in which energy can arise naturally.
How to use acupressure to support your energy
You don’t need a perfect routine.
Often, small, intentional moments are enough.
Especially in spring, it can be helpful to use acupressure as a gentle transition – not as a trigger for activity, but as a way to restore balance.
Possible moments during the day:
- in the morning, to ease into the day
- in the afternoon, when your energy dips
- after periods of intense mental work
More important than timing is the quality of the moment:
not rushed, not alongside other tasks – but taken consciously for yourself.
A simple 10-minute ritual
If you’d like to try it in a practical way:
- Unroll your mat
- Lie down on your back or place your upper back and shoulders on it
- Stay there for 5–10 minutes
- Breathe slowly and evenly
- Afterwards, take a brief moment sitting before continuing with your day.
Often, this is where a sense of clarity and renewed energy begins to emerge – not suddenly, but quietly.
Conclusion
Perhaps spring isn’t about feeling full of energy straight away.
Perhaps it’s about giving your body the time it needs to realign itself.
Just as nature does.
Not everything happens all at once.
Not everything needs to be immediately noticeable.
But sometimes, a small impulse is enough
to set something in motion.
And that is often where new energy begins.
Sources
- Lee, M. S., & Ernst, E. (2011). Acupressure for treating various health conditions: a systematic review. Journal of Pain and Symptom Management, 42(4), 589–603.
→ Overview of the effectiveness of acupressure for various conditions, including its impact on wellbeing and stress. - Chen, Y. W., Wang, H. H., & Yang, Y. H. (2015). The effect of acupressure on fatigue among patients with chronic illness: a meta-analysis. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 24(21–22), 3133–3142.
→ Shows that acupressure can reduce fatigue and improve perceived energy levels. - Zick, S. M., Sen, A., Wyatt, G. K., et al. (2016). Acupressure for persistent cancer-related fatigue: a randomised clinical trial. JAMA Oncology, 2(11), 1470–1476.
→ Indicates that acupressure can significantly reduce fatigue. - Yeh, M. L., Wang, Y. L., Huang, M. Y., et al. (2014). Effects of acupressure on sleep quality: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Sleep Medicine Reviews, 18(4), 315–325.
→ Improved sleep quality as an indirect factor for increased energy. - McEwen, B. S. (2007). Physiology and neurobiology of stress and adaptation. Physiological Reviews, 87(3), 873–904.
→ Explains how stress affects the nervous system and energy processes. - Thayer, J. F., & Lane, R. D. (2000). A model of neurovisceral integration in emotion regulation. Journal of Affective Disorders, 61(3), 201–216.
→ Relationship between nervous system regulation and physical and mental state. - Porges, S. W. (2007). The polyvagal perspective. Biological Psychology, 74(2), 116–143.
→ Explains the role of the parasympathetic nervous system in recovery and a sense of safety in the body.