It's allergy season, and your sneezing and sniffling may be discouraging you from your daily jog. But it doesn't have to be that way. While we can't keep the trees and grasses from blooming (even if we wanted to!), we can learn to cope during these spring weeks. If you are wondering if you should stay or if you should go outside, the answer is go. Exercising will pump up your natural defenses and release your endorphins, actually helping you feel better. As for the allergens, we've got you covered. Here are some tips to making the most of your spring training, in spite of allergies.
Don't skip your workout. You can stay in shape during allergy season, you just may need to modify your exercise time or place. Stay flexible, but keep your resolve to get out there anyway.
Watch the calendar. You know when your typical allergy season is in your area, so start a good offensive strategy. Right before your allergy season begins, start taking the allergy medications your doctor has recommended for you. By heading off the allergic reaction, you'll lessen your discomfort.
Monitor the weather. Watch the weather report for the pollen count, and notice the natural fluctuations. Plan this week's workout days to correspond to the lowest pollen count days to minimize your exposure. Pollen levels are usually higher on sunny, breezy days and lower on rainy days. So take advantage of the dismal weather by sneaking in your workout then.
Keep an eye out for pollution. If your asthma and allergies are exacerbated already, pollutants will merely make things worse. Keep an eye on your local ozone report so you can exercise when pollution is at a safer level. Also, pollutants can attach to the pollen in the air, literally adding insult to injury. So during allergy season, stay particularly vigilant about air quality.
Avoid the peak times of day. Some disagree with the strategy, but many find that pollen effects seem to be worse in the middle of the day. Experiment with exercising early in the morning or late in the evening to see if that makes a difference in your allergic reaction.
Exercise less strenuously. If you are noticing particularly troublesome allergies, don't exercise to your limit. Breathing heavily and gasping for air when pollen is high could cause your allergies to worsen. So don't push yourself too much during allergy season.
Protect your eyes and mouth. If you are still struggling to avoid pollen, try covering your eyes with goggles and wearing a mask over your mouth while exercising. Protecting your eyes and mouth from pollen may not look attractive, but it could make a big difference in how you feel after workout.
Change clothes and shower immediately. Wash off the pollen that attached to you immediately by showering and washing your hair as well as changing into clean clothes. This can make a big difference by greatly reducing your exposure to pollen.
Consider exercising indoors. If you are truly struggling against allergies this spring, consider stretching, stair climbing, or other indoor exercises until the pollen count drops. Just whatever you do, stay active!
Get more workout and exercise tips today by visiting our blog or contacting us at Promax Nutrition!