Word Nerd: Natsubate

Natsubate is a Japanese word that can be translated as “summer fatigue”. Natsubate is the combination of the words natsu (summer) and bate, which is an abbreviation of bateru (to be very tired). Natsubate describes the fatigue (mental, emotional, and physical) that is brought on by the heat and humidity of summer weather.

Natsubate has many symptoms, some of which include appetite loss, a lack of physical energy, even minor depression and emotional unease and upset. It used to be that natsubate was felt the most during July and the early part of August, however, thanks to Climate Change (which is REAL) and the ubiquitous use of air-conditioning, natsubate is now being felt for longer – sometimes as early as late May and as late as early September. I can say with great personal authority that natsubate is all too real and I am feeling it hard right now (no more apricating for me, I’m in an almost permanent state of liquescence!).

I’m done with Summer and all it’s heat and the humidity that leaves me beat. I long for cooler, crisper air, the kind that Autumn has to share. No more heat fatigue and slumps, I long for more than these lazy dumps. Natsubate has settled in and Summer’s now lost it’s shiny wins… ~ Ella

There are ways to beat, or at least deal with, natsubate ~ things like staying well-hydrated, eating cooling foods (think plenty of fruits and veggies, frozen yogurts and ices, etc), staying in shady places, going outdoors in the early or late hours, avoiding the sun at it’s peak. Basically if you relax into the lazy embrace of the summer heat and treat yourself gently with kindness, natsubate won’t have quite the same choke-hold on you. Trust me on this! Are you feeling natsubate or have you ever?

Namaste ~ Ella

*Check out the Word Nerd Index and my Word Nerd Pinterest Board for other superb words!

** If there’s a word you’d like to see added to the Word Nerd roster, please feel free to contact me or suggest it in the comments – I love feedback and recommendations!

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