Winter Allergies: Take precautions

Although spring and summer are allergy peak seasons, indoor allergens can cause sneezing, watery eye, and runny nasal passages. According to the American College of Allergy and Immunology, seasonal allergens such as fireplaces, wreaths and pine trees and certain seasonal candy ingredients can trigger allergies.

Dry homes and offices can also make allergies worse, thanks to us all turning up the thermostats when temperatures drop.

To reduce the allergens in winter, there are some things you can do.

Keep active no matter what the weather outside

Winter is the best time to get in a workout. It’s too cold, too dark, and I don’t feel like doing it. You can ignore them. Wexler states that your body needs the exercise boost to help it fight off winter’s attacks on its immune system.

You can sign up for indoor fitness classes if you don’t have the time or desire to go outside. Wexler suggests that simply being with other people, such as in a spin or yoga class, can help you work out harder. Follow his lead and head straight to the gym or studio from work.

Every activity counts. Wexler states that people often feel the need to lift heavy objects or run to sweat. This is not true. It’s not.

Instead of feeling overwhelmed by the need to set aside an hour every day to exercise, shower, and change, try embracing shorter periods of movement. For example, you can take a 10 minute walk before a meeting, or park at the far end to get a few extra steps. Even small amounts of activity can add up over the course of a day.

Enjoy Warm Foods and Seasonal Produce to Eat Well

While summer’s tomatoes, berries, and other seasonal fruits are still months away, winter has its own bounty of seasonal veggies and fruits. Meghan Sedivy, RD is a dietitian at Fresh Thyme Farmers Market, Plainfield, Illinois. She says winter is a great time to eat root vegetables, including beets and potatoes. Sedivy states that root vegetables are rich in potassium and citrus fruits provide fiber and vitamin C, which is particularly important at this time of the year.

Root vegetables can be easily incorporated into soups and stews to increase your daily vegetable intake. Sedivy suggests making your own soups, with all the fillings, as store-bought soups are high in sodium, calories and fat. Make a large batch of soup in a couple hours. Once you are done, put the soup in freezer bags and freeze them until ready to eat.

Tea, like soup, provides a warm sensation that can be comforting during winter. It also contains antioxidants which can help to protect your health. Sedivy states that antioxidants may be able to prevent some diseases related to cognition as well as inflammatory disease. Different types of tea have different antioxidants. Don’t limit yourself to one type.