It’s ironic, isn’t it, that the most wonderful time of the year to exercise outdoors is also the time the air is most filled with pollen and other allergy triggers? Our weather in Texas has been warm, cool, cold, wet, warm and very windy—and all in the course of one week! On a 12 point scale, the pollen has been 11+ for several weeks now. I’m one of those asymptomatic allergy folks…I don’t usually sneeze or get a runny nose…but I have the reverse drainage down my throat. That means I sometimes end up with a sore throat before I realize there’s a problem. According to an article I read, we can drain a liter of mucus a day down the backs of our throats? Yuck. And how in the world did they determine THAT? It does explain the sore throat opportunities, however.
Leave it to the editors at Men’s Health to come up with a nifty little allergy guide to help you combat this issue. It discusses symptoms and treatments:
The Cliff Notes version for managing allergies this time of the year is below:
1. Be fickle. In other words, opt for a form of exercising that exposes you to less…like neighborhoods vs. major traffic areas. Cement tennis courts vs. golfing on grass. That kind of thing.
2. Exercise inside. This will be my alternative mode until the pollen count drops some.
3. Lighten your allergy mode…that is, dust mites, Mitty the kitty AND running outdoors when the pollen is high is overloading your immune system.
4. Dust mites-substitute washable throw rugs for wall to wall carpet, which like down comforters and curtains are mite havens.
5. Dog and cat dander. Figure a way to keep Mitty and Muffy outdoors, out of your bedroom at least, off your favorite chair and perhaps find someone else to bathe them.
6. Indoor mold—use a dehumidifier to dry out your basement and exhaust fans in areas like the kitchen or bathroom. I always leave my shower door open a few hours after a shower to allow it to dry out quicker and faster. If you’re a plant lover, be aware that mold loves soil…
Good luck on all that. I’m not a huge fan of indoor running, but it will have to suffice because it beats being sidelined due to a sore throat or sinus infection!
Make it a SUPER STRONG Monday & HAPPY EASTER!