Soothing Spring Allergies
Spring Allergies Beginning to Bloom? Tips for Soothing Symptoms
Springtime can be a joyous break from the cold winter weather. But for many people it’s the start of weeks of cold and flu-like symptoms due to pollen allergies.
According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of American (AAFA), more than 50 million Americans suffer from seasonal allergies. To make matters worse, Louisiana is one of the top 10 most challenging places to live with spring allergies says the AAFA.
If you are allergic to pollen, your immune system can respond in a variety of ways – inflaming your skin, sinuses, airways or digestive system. Your body’s response depends on a variety of factors, including the severity of your allergy, the state of your immune system and the amount and type of pollen you are exposed to.
It’s important to remember that this is your body’s attempt to protect you from foreign substances it perceives as harmful, though they typically aren’t. Pollen, pet dander, insect bites and certain foods all fall within this category.
Although most allergies aren’t dangerous to your health, the symptoms they cause can be, particularly if you have existing health conditions such as asthma. Allergy-induced asthma affects about 60 percent of people who have asthma in the United States, according to the AAFA.
Tips for easing allergy symptoms
Avoidance is often touted as the answer to seasonal allergies, but who wants to sit inside when the weather’s beautiful and the flowers are blooming? Here are some of our favorite tips to help you get out and enjoy the sunshine and warm breezes.
Change the menu
Allergies are all about inflammation, and symptoms can be worsened by what you’re eating. Thankfully, they can also be improved by making some easy changes to your diet.
Start by adding more fruits and vegetables into your meal plans as they are high in inflammation-reducing antioxidants. Dark, leafy greens, onions, garlic and peppers contain inflammation-fighting vitamins K and E, so look for recipes that contain these key ingredients.
Also, try replacing your usual cooking oils with anti-inflammatory extra-virgin olive oil, avocado oil, flaxseed oil or hempseed oil. And use herbs and spices as much as possible as they include compounds to fight inflammation. Some of the best are turmeric, oregano, rosemary and ginger.
Eat local
Eating food that’s grown locally may also help ease allergy symptoms. The idea is that when you expose yourself to small doses of the same allergens that are causing your allergies, your body will begin to tolerate them better. For example, many people enjoy locally produced honey for this reason.
Act naturally
Natural supplements can help boost the immune system too. At Nature’s Link, one of our favorites is Solle Clear Sinus Immune™ formula. While most immune support products focus solely on stimulating the immune system, SolleClear SI™ also helps the body strengthen the immune system by clarifying the mind, eyes, sinus, respiratory and circulatory systems.
Keep stress in check
Stress can contribute to inflammation and make symptoms worse for allergy and asthma sufferers. That’s why it’s a good idea to take steps to mitigate unnecessary stress if your allergy symptoms are flaring up. Breathing techniques can help with this. Here’s more on why and how. You can also join a yoga or meditation class to help lower stress levels.
Practice self-care
Finally, remember to make time to take care of yourself. Busy schedules often mean that self-care is the last thing on the to-do list. Allergy symptoms require the same level of care as cold or flu symptoms. Making time to rest and allow your body to heal will help you recover faster.
Start with good advice
This year, instead of spending the spring sniffling, sneezing and avoiding the outdoors and the activities you love, start the season with a natural health consultation in Breaux Bridge, LA at Nature’s Link Wellness Center.
We start with a complete assessment of your lifestyle to determine the areas where improvements can be made. Then we’ll suggest traditional and alternative techniques to help optimize your body and allow it to cleanse and heal itself naturally. Finally, we’ll teach you natural ways to ease and prevent your allergy symptoms.
At Nature’s Link Wellness Center in Breaux Bridge, LA, we’re committed to a holistic approach to health. Led by natural health practitioner and board-certified naturopathic doctor Kristine Devillier, we are passionate about helping clients find their own personal balance and achieve optimal health and wellness.
For all the latest in natural medicine in Lafayette, LA, give us a call on 337-332-2705 or reach us online to set up your appointment today.
