When allergies strike, being prepared is everything.
Every time the spring comes around, it brings warmer weather, fun outdoor activities and life to plants that have been suppressed by a cold winter. The pleasant weather draws those that have been trapped inside of their homes out to feel the sunshine and revel in the beauty of the season. With all of these amazing qualities come some negatives, most specifically, allergies. Getting in a quality workout with a stuffy nose, watery eyes, and even a sore throat can be a challenge.
So before you head outdoors to break a sweat, be sure that you follow these tips that our team at Relentless Fitness came up with to make sure the itchiness and sniffles cannot get you down.
Know the pollens
To understand how much pollen is actually in the air on a daily basis, follow the number rating system that experts put out. There are very different readings depending on the varying types of pollen that can be found in the air. A tree pollen at or greater than 90 is high, while 1 to 14 is considered fairly low. In order to check how much pollen is actually floating around in the air outdoors, there are websites that track for trees, mold, weeds, and even grass across the United States. The National Allergy Forecast does an extremely accurate job monitoring the fluctuations of pollen.
Check the clock
Depending on your unique scenario, you may want to avoid venturing outdoors during certain points of the day. Ragweed counts are usually the highest around midday, while grass pollen counts usually peak in the late afternoon or early evening. Plan your workouts at other times of the day when the pollen count is lower. If you reside in an urban area, winds can bring pollen into town so that levels typically peak around midday. If you choose to leave your home during periods of high pollen counts, a positive way to stay healthy is to wear a facemask. As soon as you return to your home, wash out your nose in case any grains of pollen went up your nose. Another way to completely get past this is by utilizing a nasal spray that will make exercising during periods of high pollen a breeze.
Watch the weather
Avoid excess exercise outdoors on days where the weather is dry, warm, and windy. Days like this typically bring the highest pollen levels. Many of the allergen cause eye problems, including a noncontagious form of pinkeye that causes dryness, swelling, watering, and discomfort. Also, days with very high humidity can cause problems too. When the air is heavy, you may have a difficult time breathing. This humidity is the fuel to mold growth, which can potentially activate allergy symptoms. On the other hand, when it rains or thunderstorms, the air is cleared, making it a good time to head to the outdoors even if you have allergies.
Choose the right activity
When it comes to building up the strength of your lungs, some of the best activities include running, biking, or even swimming. But, indoor pools are usually loaded with chlorine that can trigger irritation to those that are vulnerable. When temperatures drop, running can be difficult due to breathing issues. The cause for this is spasms in the airways, which hinder the amount of air that can make its way to the lungs. With proper treatment, there is nothing that can slow you down.
When it comes to truly getting the most out of your workout, remaining healthy is extremely important. When the spring weather comes around with weather loaded with potential triggers of illness, you WILL be ready.