Most of us feel pretty lucky to live in a place with such amazing seasons. But if you’re one of the millions of Americans who suffer from seasonal allergies, the change in weather can be more than a little unpleasant—and it’s not just about annoying sniffles and sneezes.
Allergies can mess with your sleep, your concentration, and even your social life (who wants to hang out with someone who’s always wiping their nose?). Plus, they’re really common—so there are tons of ways to manage them.
First, make sure you’re taking your allergy medications regularly and as prescribed. Don’t skip any doses or wait until you’re really feeling sick to start taking your meds.
Second, stay inside as much as possible during high-pollen times of day. Usually, this means avoiding being outside between 10am and 4pm on weekdays. If you have to go outside during these times, be sure to take along your allergy meds and a bottle of water so you can take them right away if needed. Also, remember that washing your hands right when you come back into the office will help keep the pollen off of everything in there!
Third, beware of triggers like grass, trees, and flowers—and avoid them if possible. The more you can eliminate your exposure to these things (especially if they’re close to where you spend most of your time), the better off you’ll be this season.
Fourth, stay hydrated! Your body needs water to keep its mucus membranes moist, which can help you feel better overall and help keep your allergy symptoms at bay.
When all else fails, schedule an appointment with your primary care physician. They can assess your overall health and determine whether any of your medications require adjustment. With help from your doctor and by following the tips above, you can manage your seasonal allergies as best as possible.
