As any life-long allergy sufferer can tell you, seasonal allergy symptoms can hit hard and prevent you from tackling your daily to-do lists. Most of us turn to medications to cope with the headaches, runny noses, and itchy eyes; but, drugs come with a whole host of side effects, the worst of which is drowsiness. As a result, it sometimes feels like we’re literally stuck between a rock and a hard place, with no real solution to help us get through our day.
Well, here’s some good news! We've discovered some pretty simple things you can add to your daily routine to stop your allergy symptoms before they ever flare up. Try incorporating the tips below into your schedule to reduce your chances of coming into contact with pollutants, allergens, and other airborne triggers. By taking just a few quick steps to prevent your allergies, you’ll be able to charge through your day with much more confidence and comfort.
1. Take Some Time To Relax
We all live busy lives and we don’t have time to let allergies hold us back. But the more stressed we get, the worse our symptoms seem to be. Although stress doesn’t actually cause allergies, it does make reactions and symptoms worse “by increasing the histamine in your bloodstream.” So, schedule in some time each day to press the pause button and unwind. Not only will you feel better but you’ll find some much needed relief from your allergy symptoms.
2. Shower Before Bed
For most of us, a quick blast in the shower first thing in the morning is a great way to kickstart our day. Yet, this may be counteractive to a good allergy prevention strategy. Instead, try showering before bed to reduce the amount of dust and pollen you bring to bed with you, especially in your hair and on your pillow near your face. By eliminating your exposure to these unwanted triggers throughout the night, you’ll be able to stop your allergies from ever getting started.
3. Practice Good Nasal Hygiene
When you think about it, your nose does a pretty amazing job of catching and blocking all sorts of particles from getting into your body. So, it doesn’t seem fitting to simply blow your nose into a tissue to clean it out. Does it? Taking time to clean your sinuses properly and to keep them properly moisturized will help eliminate dust and allergens from within the nose. In addition, if you are experiencing allergy symptoms, rinsing your sinuses will help alleviate pressure, remove build-up, and get you breathing again.
4. Monitor Air Quality Conditions
One of the worst parts about being an allergy sufferer is not knowing when and how hard your symptoms are going to hit. That’s why it’s important to monitor your local weather and air quality reports for days when pollutants, allergens, and other triggers are at high levels. Avoid going outside on these days to reduce your risk of reactions and symptoms. If possible, stay inside in an air conditioned space or an area with a good air filter.
5. Wear A Mask
Of course, staying home is not an option in most cases. If you must go out, try wearing an N95 filter mask to help block allergens from entering your nose and mouth. It might not be a perfect solution but these masks will help block most dust and allergens if worn properly. And, although they may be uncomfortable, they are better than the alternative of having to suffer through an entire list of symptoms and side-effects.
Why wait until your allergy symptoms drag you down and out? Don’t deal with them after the fact! Instead, tackle them head on before the coughing, sniffling, and headaches get to you. By simply integrating a few key steps into your routine, you’ll be free to take on any challenge without the worries of your allergies holding you back.
For more information, check out our posts on our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Also, be sure to check out our Health Talk blog.
