Winter is passing and you can finally enjoy an outdoor jog instead of logging miles on the treadmill; unless you’re one of 18 million Americans suffering from spring allergies. Sneezing, coughing and watery eyes can make it difficult to enjoy the nice weather, but these simple tips will make outdoor exercise during the spring easier.
1.Cover your eyes
Wearing sunglasses can protect your eyes from pollen and other allergens, which will reduce the amount your eyes water.
2. Cover your hair
If you tend to not wash your hair everyday, wearing a hat or headband can reduce the amount of pollen that collects in your hair. Remember to keep the hat outside or in a bag when not running to reduce the amount of pollen in your home.
3. Take the right medication
If you love to exercise outdoors, taking over-the-counter medication that helps with allergies is even more important. Antihistamines that don’t include sedatives, such as Benadryl, can be taken twice a day so you’re able to get in a good sweat session. A few suggestions for allergy medications include Claritin, Sudafed, Afrin nasal spray and Visine for eye allergy relief.
4. Breathe correctly
Breathing in through your nose can help minimize allergy symptoms by lowering the amount of dry air entering your lungs. If your allergies are acting up and you need to breathe through your mouth during exercise, make sure you use a nasal spray to break up with congestion. However, it’s important to limit the use of nasal sprays to an as-needed basis.
5. Avoiding sitting in workout clothes after your workout
If you suffer from spring allergies, make sure you put your clothes in the laundry and take a shower to avoid dragging allergens around the house.
Consult with Dr. Stacy Silvers on Madison Avenue in New York City for information on spring allergies and allergy medication.