Get Your Seasonal Allergies Before They Get You! Spring brings with it many wonderful things, like longer days, picturesque scenery, and spring break, but right alongside those good things is something most people suffer from: allergies.
While beautiful, the blooming trees and flowers make you want to stay away from the great outdoors for fear of nonstop sneezing or puffy, watery eyes. If you suffer from allergies caused by pollen, grass, or other spring plants, take these steps to breathe a little easier. When outside, avoid walking through areas with weeds, shrubbery, or lots of trees as much as possible. Grass and weeds are notably problematic. The slightest breeze can send particles flying through the air in the blink of an eye. When you walk through grassy areas, pollen will get on you, your clothes, and your hair. It’s best to stick to trails, sidewalks, and other paved areas. If you do find yourself inundated with pollen or other allergens, your next best bet is to establish an at-home decontamination protocol. Take your shoes off at the door and make sure your clothes don’t come in contact with soft surfaces such as carpet, upholstery, or bedding. Take care to wash your “pollinated” clothes as soon as possible and wash your sheets and pillowcases weekly. Next, head for the shower. The sooner you can wash away the allergens, the better.
Finally, don’t forget to replace the air filter in your home’s air system in the spring. Consider using an air filter designed to capture allergens. If your allergies are particularly troublesome, invest in a dedicated air filtration system or unit. While you can opt for portable, stand-alone air purifiers, there are larger systems that can be incorporated into your heating and air system that keep your entire home’s air free from most, if not all, common allergens.
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3 Food Groups With Anti-Aging Benefits
There are tons of creams, serums, and regimens that people promise will result in younger-looking skin and more energy, but nothing can beat Mother Nature. When searching for the best anti-aging techniques to slow down the wear of time on your body, look to some of your favorite foods instead. In honor of National Nutrition Month, incorporate some of these anti-aging gems into your diet and reap the healthy — and tasty — benefits. Pro Tip: Get the full effect of the nutrients found in these foods by eating seasonally. Fruits and vegetables contain more nutrients when in season than when grown out of season. Stick to The Orange Stuff Any fruits or vegetables that are orange or yellow will be an instant boost to your skin because of the nutrients that give
these foods their orange and yellow glow. For example, sweet potatoes and carrots are loaded with collagen, which your skin uses to stay strong, hydrated, and elastic. The potassium and magnesium in bananas can also keep skin moisturized, while orange fruits like papaya and oranges contain loads of vitamin C to promote natural collagen production. Believe in the ‘Miracle Fruit’ Often called the miracle fruit, pomegranates, specifically the seeds, are undergoing a renaissance of sorts. Researchers are discovering just how healthy this fruit may be. For starters, pomegranate contains anti- inflammatory properties, which can fight arthritis, obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and even Alzheimer’s disease. Pomegranates have also been shown to lower cholesterol levels. But that’s not all! Some scientists are even disclosing
pomegranates’ promising effects on prostate and breast cancer treatments. Go Green Much like how orange foods are good for the skin, green foods have their own set of benefits you don’t want to miss. Deeply green foods, like spinach, contain high levels of magnesium, protein, and vitamin K, which can provide immense benefits to your heart and bone health. Spinach, in particular, is one of the highest naturally-occurring sources of vitamin K! Meanwhile, avocados are rich in “good fats,” which give you energy and can give your immune system a boost. You should add broccoli, green tea, and cilantro to your diet for more anti-aging benefits. Bonus: Oats are a great source of carbohydrates — yes, you need carbs! — while also providing good fats and lean protein.
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