Exercise & Allergies

Photo Credit: mcfarlandmo

April showers bring May flowers — and allergies for some people. Pollen allergies can make you miserable and might interfere with your regular outdoor exercise routine. You don’t have to give up the great outdoors during allergy season. Some preparation and precautions can make exercising outdoors when  you have allergies a little more tolerable.

Keep track of pollen season on your calendar. Many weather stations and websites publish pollen alerts, which you can use to determine when you should exercise indoors or take extra precautions outdoors. If you know which pollen makes you miserable, avoid outdoor activities during peak times or take medication before you go outdoors. Ozone and other air pollutants can make allergy season worse. Avoid exercising outdoors on days when ozone and pollen counts are high.

Exercise before or after peak pollen levels. Most pollen levels peak around midday. Exercise outdoors in the morning or late afternoon to early evening to avoid the worst pollen levels. Opt for less intense exercise during peak pollen times, too. Instead of running 5 miles, jog for 2 miles or use the treadmill at the gym. Talk to your doctor about exercising outdoors during allergy season, especially if you suffer from asthma.