Are there any mind-body techniques that can help with my seasonal allergies?

ON Apr 13, 2010 at 6:01PM

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Are there any mind-body techniques that can help with my seasonal allergies?

Question:
Michael Roizen, M.D.
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Michael Roizen, M.D.

As chief wellness officer and chair of the Wellness Institute of the Cleveland Clinic, Michael F. Roizen, MD, is on a mission to inform... Read more

Anything you do to decrease your stress level will decrease your symptoms of seasonal allergies. Here’s why: Stress lowers your body’s ability to have a normal epinephrine response. Epinephrine is a natural adrenaline that your body makes to fight off allergens. But when you’re constantly stressed, your body is already making increased amounts of epinephrine. When a real allergen comes along, you can’t fight it off because your body has already been operating in epinephrine overload and doesn’t fully recognize an allergen as a threat. If this seems confusing, it is. Essentially, think of it like a body that’s cried wolf too often. When the real danger comes along, there’s no response. Meditation, exercise, yoga and even sex can help you fight your allergies better. They don’t directly decrease your response to the allergen, but they lower your stress response, which means you’re putting your body in a better position to fight allergens. Limiting your exposure to outdoor allergens is also smart, so do your meditating indoors. Learn about the many wellness benefits of Yoga, at 360-5.com.

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