[Sunday Culture] Condition Issues During Jangma Season... What Is It Called in Japan?

'Tsuyudaru' That Calls for a Sluggish and Heavy Body During the Rainy Season
Low Pressure and High Humidity Cause Condition Disorders

There are quite a few people whose condition worsens noticeably during the summer rainy season. During the rainy season, many feel their bodies become sluggish and lethargic.

In Japan, where the rainy season starts earlier and lasts longer than in Korea, many people experience similar symptoms. There is even a word that refers to this physical state during the rainy season: "Tsuyudaru (梅雨ダル)," which means rainy season fatigue.

Tsuyudaru is a compound word made from "tsuyu (梅雨)," meaning "rainy season," and "darui (だるい)," meaning "lethargic." It literally describes the sluggish physical state that is especially felt during the rainy season.

This condition is not just in your head. Our bodies are inevitably affected by the weather. During the rainy season, low atmospheric pressure forms, and the autonomic nervous system responds by increasing parasympathetic nervous activity. Since the parasympathetic nervous system relaxes the body and reduces tension, this leads to feelings of lethargy and lack of motivation.

Moreover, prolonged low pressure causes the secretion of inflammatory substances, which can lead to stiff shoulders and headaches. Also, the temperature difference between air-conditioned indoor spaces and the outside can easily disrupt the body's balance.

The Asahi Shimbun reported that in April, Kokokara, a company related to acupressure, conducted a survey of 999 men and women aged 20 to 50 in Japan, finding that 44.8% felt their condition worsened during the rainy season.

Specifically, 67.9% of respondents reported feeling "lethargy and fatigue," 54.9% felt "depressed mood," and 40.6% experienced "headaches." This shows that more people than expected are affected by the rainy season weather.

Therefore, during this period, massage shops and traditional medicine clinics in Japan actively promote packages to relieve the sluggish body. Even though they are not sick, some people go to get acupuncture during the rainy season because their condition worsens. In Japan, places that provide acupuncture and moxibustion, similar to Korean traditional clinics, are called "shinkyuin (鍼灸院)," meaning acupuncture and moxibustion clinics.

The way Tsuyudaru is explained there is similar to how Korean traditional clinics describe it. Since the stomach and spleen are vulnerable to humidity, the dampness causes a condition called "shissa," which worsens the body’s state. Because dampness is heavy and turbid, it blocks the activity of yang energy, so acupuncture or moxibustion is used to promote blood circulation.

Especially since Japan is an island surrounded by the sea on all sides, the humidity makes the stomach condition worse, according to Japanese shinkyuin.

Many massage shops advertise that skin stimulation can relieve stiff muscles and help recover from fatigue. Physical therapy clinics using low-frequency machines to balance the autonomic nervous system were also noticeable.

Since Japan’s rainy season lasts longer than Korea’s, there seem to be various ways to overcome it. In fact, besides acupuncture and massage, there are recommended foods to help overcome fatigue during the rainy season.

First and foremost, eating shiitake mushrooms, tofu, and natto is good for stomach health. Ginger and chive are recommended because they warm the body and promote blood circulation. Also, foods like job’s tears (yulmu) and corn, which help expel excess water and prevent swelling, are helpful for recovering condition during the rainy season.

It is advised to avoid cold foods like beer and soft drinks, as well as raw foods such as sashimi, fresh vegetables, and fruits, which are not cooked and are often eaten during this period.

Rather than staying indoors just because it’s hot, sweating moderately and taking warm baths are also helpful habits to overcome the rainy season.

Above all, many people who feel Tsuyudaru usually have poor posture or are in environments where they easily get tired, such as frequently using smartphones or PCs.

We hope you keep this in mind in your daily life and have a healthy summer.