Protect Your Sleep Quality from Allergies
You’re wondering what allergies have to do with your sleep quality right?
You’re also wondering why a physical therapist cares about your allergies and sleep quality, aren’t you?
Unfortunately, for some of us, spring is synonymous with allergies. Allergy symptoms such as itchy/watery eyes, sneezing, and nasal congestion often get worse at night and negatively impact one's ability to breathe. Resultant, people may experience trouble falling asleep, trouble staying asleep, short and inefficient sleep quality.
Poor sleep quality can cause a myriad of health problems over prolonged periods of time, e.g. increased pain, increased stress, reduced processing, poor mood, digestive issues, etc. all of which can negatively impact your body’s ability to heal or recover from an injury or prolonged stress associated with training for endurance events- allergy season overlaps with marathon and triathlon season.
So while this may not be your first allergy season in the DMV, hopefully, the tips below will help reduce the impact of Allergy Season!
Keep your windows and doors closed.
I know it's very tempting to let fresh air in when the weather is nice, but doing so lets more allergens into your home.
Dust your home (bedroom) more often.
Remove unnecessary items from your bedroom that might trap more dust, like books, stuffed animals, and throw pillows.
Try taking your allergy medicine at night
It'll be more active as you sleep vs. wearing off as you sleep. Do consult with your physician.
Shower at night/before bed
Any pollen that might have attached itself to you will be washed away vs. you sleeping with it.
Keep pets out of your bedroom. As much as we love them, pet hair and dander are very common allergens.
I know this is a potentially unpopular idea, so maybe you try this last 😂