When we think of allergies, the most obvious culprits that come to mind are airborne allergens, like pollen or dust, animal fur or even different foods.
But what if the cause of your allergies was stress?
People with persistent emotional stress have a lowered immunity, which often leads to more frequent allergy flares.
When our bodies are under stress, whether it’s from work, a relationship, a lifestyle change, or a difficult time, they release cortisol.
Cortisol triggers an inflammatory cascade releasing histamine. The histamine contributes to systemic allergic symptoms, like itchy skin and eyes, sneezing and a runny nose.
It’s also important to notice if you deal with stress by eating more sugar and drinking more alcohol or caffeine. All of those foods trigger an inflammatory response in the body and can cause your allergic symptoms to be worse.
What can you do about lowering stress?
One of the best ways to boost your immunity to allergies is to manage your stress. There are many different stress relief techniques to choose from, so try a few out and see which work best for you and your lifestyle.
Here are our top stress relief activities:
- Meditation
- Exercise
- Acupuncture
- Yoga
- Getting enough sleep (7+ hours each night)
If you are experiencing allergy symptoms, it’s also a good idea to come in for a treatment. But because we are only “one piece” of the Allergy Solution Pie, it is important to include practices in your life to help manage stress.