Last March, I remember standing in the kitchen at half past six in the evening, surprised by how light it still was. The sky had that pale, almost hopeful blue that makes you think winter has finally loosened its grip. Yet, I felt noticeably more tired in March. It didn’t make sense.

The light had returned. The days were longer. I’d even started planning more dinners out, longer walks, small projects around the house. On paper, everything suggested more energy. In reality, I felt slightly depleted. It took me a few years to understand that feeling tired in March isn’t contradictory or odd. It’s transitional.

Your body clock doesn’t change overnight

According to the NHS, changes in daylight can significantly affect sleep patterns and energy levels, particularly during seasonal transitions. The increase in daylight through March is surprisingly quick. Even a few minutes more light each day gradually shifts your circadian rhythm; the internal system that regulates sleep, alertness and hormone release.

What often happens is subtle. Evenings feel lighter, so you stay up a little later. Screens stay on a little longer. The room never feels quite dark enough to wind down properly. Within a week or two, bedtime has drifted. If you’re tired in March, it’s worth asking whether your sleep has shifted by half an hour without you noticing. That small change, repeated nightly, has consequences. What made the biggest difference for me was keeping my bedtime consistent for a fortnight, even when it felt slightly early.

Motivation rises before energy does

There’s also the psychological shift. March carries the unspoken expectation that it’s time to begin “life” again. You see it in garden centres filling up, people clearing out cupboards and the general increase in social plans. But motivation doesn’t necessarily equal capacity.

When I look back at the years I felt most tired in March, I can see the pattern clearly: I had added more than I had adjusted for. A phenomenon that did not aid this shift was the feeling of boredom as something that I should avoid, while it is actually really healthy to experience boredom when you are feeling tired.

expand faster than recovery, tiredness follows. I decided to start living by that rule. Instead of adding more structure, I started removing one thing each week. One evening without plans. One task postponed. That alone reduced the feeling of being tired more than any productivity tweak ever did.

Temperature plays a role too

March weather in the Netherlands is unpredictable. Cold mornings, milder afternoons, the odd frost that catches you off guard. That inconsistency affects sleep more than we realise. Bedrooms become slightly warmer or colder from one night to the next. You wake briefly and don’t register it. Over time, those small disruptions accumulate.

Another thing I did was paying attention to how my room felt at night, adjusting layers rather than relying on heating. I also tended to keep my bedroom it slightly cooler than I would normally do. It sounds minor. But this actually really helps you get a better nights sleep, making sure that tiredness during the day becomes less apparent.

Winter depletion doesn’t disappear with sunlight

By late winter, many people are running on lower vitamin D levels, especially in northern climates. Combine that with months of reduced activity and heavier routines, and your system is still recalibrating when March arrives.

If you feel tired in March every year, it’s worth considering whether you consistently dip around this time. Some people benefit from winter supplementation or checking levels with a GP if fatigue feels persistent rather than seasonal.

What actually helped

The year I stopped trying to “maximise” March was the year it felt better. I kept my sleep steady. I made sure I was eating properly, particularly breakfast. I walked most mornings, even if it was only ten minutes before work. And I deliberately left space in the week rather than filling it. Within a couple of weeks, that constant tired in March feeling eased.

If you’re tired in March, start here

Instead of chasing energy, stabilise it:

Keep your sleep consistent.
Limit how much later evenings drift.
Resist adding too many plans at once.
Notice whether your body feels behind your calendar.

March is a month of adjustment. When you treat it as one, energy tends to follow.

FAQs

Is it common to feel tired in March?

Yes. Many people feel tired in March because daylight shifts, sleep patterns change and activity increases after winter.

Why do I feel more tired in March than in mid-winter?

Winter routines are consistent. March introduces change with longer evenings, fluctuating temperatures and more plans, which can temporarily disrupt energy and your biological clock.

Should I be concerned about feeling tired in March?

If fatigue is persistent, worsening or affecting daily life, speak to a GP. Otherwise, mild seasonal tiredness in March is common.