Spring attracts us to be outside more and may even trigger the start of running workouts. But anyone with hay allergies has serious limitations to deal with.
4 tips on how to exercise despite seasonal allergies:
1. Don’t give up
The pleasure of sports quickly evaporates when allergies prevent you from lacing up your sneakers. Frustration and debilitating symptoms often make you want to take a break. “This is understandable, but this is what I try to avoid as an attending physician. Fortunately, there are several approaches to running with allergies. Most people can hardly believe the most important advice: don’t give up! Often the cause of complaints is a lack of fresh air and exercise. You must gradually allow the immune system to adapt.
2. Strengthen your immune system
Did you know that regular outdoor exercise is almost as effective as allergen immunotherapy? A thorough increase in resistance actually stabilizes the immune system. There are many ways to strengthen your immune system, and many of them are related to food. Take a look at what you eat and see if you can make any health changes.
3. Provide first aid for acute problems.
However, in the above alternative, a subjective assessment of your limits is crucial. You should have medical care at hand, such as an inhaler, so that your trip does not cause you trouble. To treat persistent problems, it is recommended to take an allergy medication, such as an antihistamine, before training. Antihistamines prevent allergic reactions that cause difficulty breathing or serious reactions such as shortness of breath. Alternating between outdoor and indoor workouts is a smart way to gradually strengthen your immune system and ensure a smooth transition to resilience.
Expert advice:
Breathing through your nose during an outdoor workout warms you up and reduces the amount of allergens you inhale.
4. Allergenic immunotherapy
You should seek medical attention in case of ongoing ailments or serious problems. Many people try to solve the problem with allergen immunotherapy, in which regular exposure to allergens teaches your immune system to adapt. However, this requires patience. Treatment usually takes one to two years.
Good to know:
This treatment is not suitable for everyone. Possible interaction with other substances or medications may lead to side effects. It should be noted that medical supervision is crucial in this process for amateur athletes, as well as for professional athletes with conditions such as reactive airway disease or asthma.
Conclusion
After all, a pesky sneeze and a host of minor seasonal allergy obstacles shouldn’t stop you from achieving your goals. The benefits of combining endurance and strength training are immeasurable and can improve your health in the long run, so you don’t have to sacrifice your quality of life in old age. Perseverance and intelligent decisions are necessary to achieve this ultimate goal.