Healthy Habits: How to Combat Spring Allergies

The weather is finally warming up and when you step outdoors, the stronger rays of the sun feel great as they hit your skin. Spring weather makes most people long to spend more time outside. This is especially true for active individuals who can’t wait to ditch the treadmill for a run through the park or skip a class at the gym to engage in an outdoor activity.

Along with the improving weather conditions at this time of year, however, is the increasing number of allergens that keep many of us sniffling, sneezing, and rubbing our eyes. According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information, about 40 million people in the United States reportedly have some type of allergy, with seasonal allergens topping the list of the most common allergy triggers. While allergies are no fun, they shouldn’t confine you to a life spent indoors.

Dr. Josh Sandell of Orthology, a world-class solution for rapid recovery from physical injuries and chronic pain, has put together some tips on how to make your way through allergy season as effectively as possible so your seasonal sniffles don’t slow you down or keep you from enjoying the great outdoors.

Pollen Counts

Pollen counts vary from day to day and even throughout the day, so it’s best to head outdoors when counts are at their lowest, whenever possible. Some claim that pollen counts are highest during the morning hours, while others say they peak more around midday, but later in the afternoon or evening is probably the best time to head out for a run or other physical activity if you’re susceptible to pollen.

Check the Weather

Weather can also have an impact. Dry, warm and windy days bring with them higher pollen counts than cool, damp days. There are plenty of websites and apps that can provide you with information about pollen counts so you can monitor the best times to head outdoors or when to consider staying inside.

Spring Cleaning

As we mentioned in a previous post, spring cleaning is not only cathartic, but it can actually help relieve your suffering from allergies as windows, blinds, and items in old storage could be harboring dust and mold which can cause your allergies to act up. Doing a thorough spring cleaning by vacuuming carpet and washing down surfaces can get rid of potential irritants and give you a great workout in the process!