Allergies can limit your ability to do many things that are an essential part of your routine, such as exercise. Fitness is a vital part of living well, and exercising outdoors can lift your mood and diversify your workouts. However, if you have pollen allergies, this may be one of the biggest challenges you face during the spring and summer seasons. Despite its inconvenience, you can find ways to still enjoy the outdoors and exercise when you have pollen allergies.
Pay Attention to the Weather
The weather tells you a lot more than whether it’s going to be sunny or rainy. It also tells you how high the pollen count is. If the pollen count is high, it’s best if you don’t go outside. A high pollen count can cause your allergies to flare significantly. Paired with exercise, it can even impair your breathing or trigger an asthma attack. Everyone’s allergic threshold differs, but you should generally aim to only go out when the pollen count is 50 or lower.
Consider Timing and Location
Medical professionals recommend that people with pollen allergies exercise in the early morning or evening. They say this because numerous reports have shown that pollen usually reaches its peak around the afternoon.
It’s important to mention that despite its fluctuations, low pollen levels can still trigger allergy symptoms. You must listen to your body and take steps to avoid unnecessary irritation. Rather than jogging through a park that’s filled with flowers, grass and trees, aim for trails that are less likely to expose you to pollen.
Pay Attention to Your Body
One of the benefits to exercising outdoors is that you receive your daily dose of vitamin D from the sunlight. However, your body might not be able to tolerate being outdoors during the warmer months, especially if there is a lot of flora. If you ever have trouble breathing or similar signs of an allergy attack, head inside right away. It may be an annoyance, but your physical safety is always more important than where you happen to exercise.
Following this advice can help you avoid seasonal allergy irritation when you exercise outdoors. If you find it difficult to keep your pollen allergy at bay despite your best efforts, speak to your doctor about potential medications that can help manage your symptoms.
