[Simultaneous Survey of 550 Men and Women in Their 30s-50s Nationwide!] About 70% Experience Malaise During Seasonal Changes. Temperature Fluctuations, Pollen, Dryness... The Reality of Ailments Brought by Seasonal Shifts - Survey by Tokiwadai Tokiwa-dori Clinic

From the Awareness Survey on "Malaise During Seasonal Changes" During early spring and early autumn, when seasonal transitions are significant, the temperature difference between morning/evening and daytime becomes extreme, placing a heavy burden on the mind and body. In recent years, due to the effects of abnormal weather and climate change, Japan's four seasons themselves are changing. The combination of multiple factors such as temperature fluctuations, changes in atmospheric pressure, increases and decreases in daylight hours, as well as pollen dispersal and dry air, creates an environment where people easily fall ill. Changes in these external factors affect the balance of the autonomic nervous system, frequently manifesting as ailments such as "somehow feeling sluggish" or "unable to shake off fatigue." Moreover, seasonal changes are timings when life environments and daily rhythms are prone to shift, making it easy for physical burdens to accumulate unknowingly. As a result, there are many cases where people experience ailments without knowing the clear cause and continue their daily lives without taking any countermeasures. Given this background, Tokiwadai Tokiwa-dori Clinic conducted an "Awareness Survey on Malaise During Seasonal Changes" (internet survey) targeting 550 men and women in their 30s to 50s nationwide. Survey Title: Awareness Survey on "Malaise During Seasonal Changes" Survey Date: April 13, 2026 Survey Method: Web questionnaire (multiple choice and descriptive questions) Target Audience: Men and women in their 30s to 50s living in Japan Number of Respondents: 550 [Summary of Awareness Survey on "Malaise During Seasonal Changes" for Men and Women in Their 30s-50s] - Approximately 70% have experienced some form of malaise during seasonal changes. - The season where malaise is most frequently felt is "Winter → Spring" (25.5%). - The most common symptom is "general sluggishness/fatigue" (37.5%). - The primary cause of malaise is "temperature fluctuations" (25.8%). - About 40% do not take any countermeasures against their ailments. About 70% "Feel Malaise" -- Seasonal Changes Impact the Body on a Daily Basis It became clear that about 70% of people feel some kind of physical ailment during seasonal transitions. On the other hand, the segment that "has never felt it" remained at less than 30%, suggesting that the impact of seasonal changes on physical condition is not limited to a select few but extends widely to the general public. During transitional periods, multiple external factors such as temperature differences, atmospheric pressure fluctuations, and changes in daylight hours combine, which is said to easily disrupt the balance of the autonomic nervous system. Since the autonomic nervous system is involved in regulating body temperature, blood flow, and internal organ functions, its instability easily causes ailments such as "sluggishness" and "headaches." These results suggest that the ailments felt during seasonal changes are not just temporary discomforts but likely physiological reactions stemming from the body's regulatory functions. Ailments Concentrate in "Winter → Spring" -- A "High-Risk Period" Compounded by Environmental Factors "From winter to spring" was the most common response for the seasonal transition where people are most likely to feel unwell. Conversely, a certain number of respondents said it is "not particularly fixed," indicating individual differences in seasonal impacts, yet confirming a tendency for ailments to concentrate during specific periods. The transition from winter to spring is a time when factors such as widening temperature gaps, pollen dispersal, and changes in daylight hours overlap. Each of these is known to affect the autonomic nervous system and immune function, and their combined effect makes it easier to trigger poor physical condition. Early spring, in particular, is a time when changes in living environments easily coincide, increasing both physical and psychological stress. These results show that among the seasons, "Winter → Spring" is a particularly critical phase where one should be conscious of health management. "Sluggishness" is the Most Common -- Mainstream is Easily Overlooked Systemic Ailments "General sluggishness and fatigue" was the most common primary symptom, surpassing localized symptoms like headaches and stiff shoulders. Additionally, a certain number of mental ailments such as depressed mood and decreased sleep quality were confirmed, indicating that both the body and mind are affected. Fatigue easily arises from decreased blood flow and autonomic nervous system disorders, and its characteristic is that it is a "systemic sign" not limited to a specific area. Therefore, the cause is difficult to pinpoint, and it tends to be overlooked as just "tiredness" or "imagination." This result shows that ailments during seasonal changes are not merely localized problems but may manifest as disruptions in the balance of the entire body. Temperature Fluctuations are the Biggest Factor, Yet About 30% Claim "Unknown Cause" -- Highlighting a Gap in Perception While "temperature fluctuations" were cited the most as the cause of ailments, responses stating "nothing particularly comes to mind" reached about 30%. This illustrates the current reality where many people feel unwell but cannot clearly recognize the underlying factors. Elements such as temperature differences, pressure changes, pollen, and dryness are each known to affect the body, but in reality, they often interact comprehensively, making them difficult to perceive as a single cause.