Kracie Survey Reveals 'May Sickness' Can Occur Even Without Major Life Changes
Kracie Pharmaceuticals conducted a comprehensive survey on 'May Sickness' among 2,000 participants. The findings indicate that 1 in 4 people experienced symptoms recently, with factors varying significantly by life stage. Notably, over 30% reported no major environmental changes before onset, suggesting that accumulated fatigue from work and family responsibilities plays a critical role.
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- 📰 Published: May 18, 2026 at 22:00
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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.
### 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.
FAQ
What are the main causes of May Sickness?
Besides adjustment to new environments, fatigue from year-end busyness is a major factor. The survey shows it can occur even without clear environmental changes.
What should men in their 30s to 50s be aware of?
Excessive burden from work and responsibilities is a common trigger, leading to fatigue and decreased motivation.
How does Kampo explain May Sickness?
It is viewed as a deficiency or stagnation of 'Qi' (vital energy). Kampo aims to restore the balance of Qi to alleviate symptoms.