Seasonal allergies occur when your immune system overreacts to certain things in the environment. Symptoms of an allergy include; sneezing, coughing, itchy skin, or watery eyes. The severity of allergies varies between individuals, seasons, and geographical locations. Most individuals have these symptoms during spring or summer. However, there are natural home remedies that an individual can use to alleviate seasonal allergies. Below is a list of eight natural means you can utilize to diminish the effects of seasonal allergies.
8 Natural Ways to Alleviate Seasonal Allergies
1. An Air Purifier
The air we breathe every day contains a lot of contaminants. From dust particles to other tiny materials that are not visible to the naked eye, individuals are always susceptible to infections and allergic reactions. Having an office air purifier or for any space at that matter, goes a long way in ensuring that there are little to no contaminants in your space and also improves the quality of the air. Air purifiers have been shown to improve sleep as they filter out allergens in your room, reducing the chances of hypersensitive reactions.
2. Manage Stress
When cortisol is released into your body as a result of stress, it more often than not has devastating effects on your immune system. As a result, you become more vulnerable to seasonal allergies. Therefore, stress management is key if you want to beat seasonal allergies. Practicing meditation, self-care, and taking much-needed breaks from busy schedules can help to keep stress levels at bay. These simple practices can greatly impact your mind and body all year long.
3. Apple Cider Vinegar
Mixing two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar with some lemon juice and warm water has proven to alleviate allergic reactions. The concoction has several benefits to the body, including supporting lymphatic drainage, breaking up mucus, and boosting the immune system. Taking three glasses per day comes in handy in wading of allergens.
4. Detoxing Your Body
When you have a lot of toxins in your body, it goes without saying that you will be more susceptible to allergies. Overworking your liver by making it constantly metabolize processed foods, alcohol, and medications implies that this crucial organ will not perform some of its essential functions, such as; mediating inflammation. As a result, allergies are more likely to flare up. Therefore, eating liver-friendly foods such as milk, herbs, nuts, and citrus fruits becomes vital.
5. Cleaning Your House
Regular and thorough cleaning of your house can rid your spaces of many allergens. Cleaning your vents, bookshelves, and other tiny spaces in the house that are often overlooked is crucial. Additionally, changing your pillowcases and cleaning your air purifiers is bound to be beneficial to your body. Lastly, vacuuming once or twice a week also comes in handy in keeping your house safe for you.
6. Taking Probiotics
Allergic reactions are usually a result of imbalances in our immune systems. As a result, our bodies react rather strongly to stimuli. The presence of healthy bacteria in the human body has been proven to reduce allergies significantly. Taking probiotic-rich foods, including yogurt or sourdough bread can aid in the production of several immune-strengthening substances, such as healthy bacteria, which prevent the growth of pathogens. Essentially, probiotics teach your body how to react to illnesses and other strange substances.
7. Washing Up
As humans, we are bound to harbor tiny pieces of dirt and bacteria after interacting with the outside world. Taking a bath as soon as possible after arriving home and changing clothes is key in washing away allergens. Leaving shoes at the door is also a necessary precaution.
8. Wearing a Facemask
Wearing a facemask when working in your yard or when vacuuming your house can aid in keeping allergens away from your airways. Masks available at most medical supply stores can block or filter most tiny particles. Working in high-risk environments can lead to severe allergic reactions without proper facial protection.
Conclusion
Adhering to the aforementioned precautions is relatively easy but goes a long way in strengthening your immune system and keeping your environment clean. As the adage goes, prevention is better than cure. Seasonal allergies do not have to render devastating effects to your body or frequently keep you under medication if you adhere to simple hygiene and lifestyle changes.