With allergy season in full bloom and pollen counts soaring, the
struggle to breathe for some is intense. If you rely on medication to
survive seasonal allergy symptoms, then consider three important health
habits to help you live better in the spring.
Do you breathe? This very important function for health and energy is
often assumed to be normal and nothing to think about; however many
people I talk with remark how often they find themselves breathing so
shallowly it seems more like breath holding than breathing.
If you exercise regularly then you are aware of "deep breathing" and
are able to experience the clearing of your lungs and energy that comes
from greater infusion of air at a deeper level. Many who use yoga for
fitness also learn the benefits of deeper, more controlled breathing.
People who practice deep
breathing techniques on a regular basis have a stronger immune system reducing their chance of getting pneumonia or lung cancer.
Breathing exercises for stress management helps to infuse oxygen into the trillions of cells throughout the body creating greater calm.
Spring
is also the season of leafy greens, the food most needed for healthy
lung function in the midst of pollen season. Dark leafy greens and
bitter greens, like kale, parsley, dandelion, watercress and arugula have compounds
that help to break up mucus and reduce toxins, while providing
significant amounts of calcium and other bone building minerals to boost bone and blood health. Eating "green" is one of the best choices for health, especially during allergy season.
Health in the spring needs more than medication. Give yourself an
energy boost by learning to breathe deeper, strengthening your
respiration. Then support your health and immune function by eating
dark or bitter leafy greens daily.
