Kracie Pharmaceuticals, a distributor of Kampo (Japanese herbal) medicines, conducted a 'Survey on May Sickness' targeting 2,000 men and women in their 20s to 50s. The report clarifies recent trends and life-stage-specific factors of the physical and mental malaise that often occurs after the Golden Week holidays, while offering self-care tips from a Kampo perspective.

### Key Findings - **Prevalence and Impact:** Approximately 28.5% of respondents experienced May Sickness within the last 1-2 years. Among them, 75.8% reported a significant decline in work or daily life performance. - **Triggers Without Change:** Contrary to the belief that it stems solely from adjusting to a new environment, 34.8% of sufferers reported no major life changes in the preceding months. This suggests that hidden exhaustion from busy periods can surface after the holidays. - **Life Stage Variations:** Men in their 30s to 50s cited work pressure as the primary factor, while women in their 30s and 40s often suffered from the combination of work and family changes, such as children starting school. - **Top Symptoms:** The most common symptoms were 'lack of motivation' (59.0%), 'easy fatigue' (44.8%), and 'depressed mood' (43.8%).

### Kampo Perspective on Self-Care In Kampo medicine, these symptoms are linked to 'Qi' (vital energy). A deficiency or stagnation of Qi leads to mental and physical signs of distress. Kracie recommends early intervention through self-care and appropriate Kampo medicines to prevent these symptoms from severely affecting daily life.

FACT BOX

  • Source: PR TIMES
  • Category: Survey