For those of us who suffer during allergy season, it’s a good idea to have a plan for fighting symptoms before they start.
Here are my favorite natural ways to keep your head and nose clear during allergy season:
1. KAPALABHATI BREATHING – This breathing exercise is like spring cleaning for your nasal passages. I recommend adding this practice to your morning routine during allergy season.
Step 1: Sitting comfortably on a mat or on a chair, lengthen your spine.
Step 2: As if you were blowing your nose into a tissue, forcefully exhale through your nose and inhale naturally through your nose.
Step 3: At your own pace, repeat this forceful exhalation and natural inhalation for a minimum of 50 to a max of 200 breath cycles.
2. BRIDGE POSE – This is a simple yoga back bending pose that will help you expand the chest and lungs, increasing breathing capacity and thereby reducing your symptoms.
Bridge Pose
Step 1: Lie on your back on a mat, bend your knees and step your heels as close to your buttocks as possible.
Step 2: Keeping your feet hips distance apart, draw your hips up. Your hands can be on the outside of your hips or interlaced beneath you.
Step 3: Squeeze your thighs toward each other. Hold here for 5-10 breath cycles.
You can practice 1 to 3 sets like this.
3. LAVENDER – Did you know that lavender is a natural antihistamine? Add lavender oil to your bath, diffuse it in your home or use a lavender infused moisturizer. I love Shea Moisture’s yummy Lavender & Wild Orchid Body Butter.
Lavender is also calming so it will help add a sense of peace to the beginning or end of your day.
