Why do I continue to suffer from spring allergies?

Every time you are tempted to react in the same old way, ask if you want to be a prisoner of the past or a pioneer of the future.

~ Deepak Chopra

Some years are better than others, but since May 2006, I have often suffered symptoms of spring allergies.

When our immune systems overreact to something tolerable to most, like pollens or food, we call it an allergy.

This year my symptoms have been limited to swollen and very itchy eyes.

Because I prefer not to rely on antihistamines to reduce symptoms, I keep doors and windows shut and go out only as needed, wearing sunglasses.

I intend to step into the light with courage, commitment, and clarity to resolve this condition once and for all.

Spring into reflection

It is your reaction to adversity, not the adversity itself, that determines how your life’s story will develop.

~ Dieter F. Uchtdorf

We tend to wear our wounds like a badge.

At this time of year, associated with rebirth and new beginnings, I suffer from imposter syndrome due to an inability to heal myself.

Through this blog, I hope that by taking the time to reflect and express my vulnerability, I can release the pattern that has created this condition.

Exposure equals adaptation

Life is ten percent what happens to you and ninety percent how you react to it.

~ Charles Swindoll

With spring comes increased exposure. Having spent very little time with anyone other than family over the past several years reduces resilience and the likelihood that I adapt.

With increased exposure to others, there can be increased demands in our time. When we have trouble saying “no” sometimes the body does it for us.

Because my mirror neurons are hyper-sensitive, when I see others suffer, I desperately want to help.

Failing to create healthy boundaries externally may also breach internal barriers. When mucous linings are not moist and healthy, we become vulnerable and reactive to pollens and other environmental insults.

I need clarity

Action and reaction, ebb and flow, trial and error, change - this is the rhythm of living. Out of our over-confidence, fear; out of our fear, clearer vision, fresh hope. And out of hope, progress.

~ Bruce Barton

In the mental realm, I endeavour to find the correlation between this health affliction and thought patterns that are not serving me well.

Some theories suggest that allergies can be a form of psychological defense against specific emotional situations (such as feeling insecure) and an attempt to protect oneself from emotional distress.

A general feeling of lack of control in one’s environment can trigger seasonal allergies.

In the physical realm, not surprisingly, I have learned that my genetics impair my ability to get deep, healing sleep.

Being a light sleeper, I am easily awakened and have trouble falling asleep again. To improve sleep quality, I need consistency in my sleeping environment.

Having become cold-adapted, I sleep most soundly when the temperature in my room is at or below 63 degrees Fahrenheit or 17 degrees Celsius which is easy to do in the winter without becoming a burden to society.

Every spring, I attempt to adapt to the heat for the upcoming summer warmth, but it is a time-consuming process for me. I suffer until I get there.

Just as a better night’s sleep starts first thing in the morning with exposure to natural light, so too does adaptation to seasonal change start with embracing discomfort with an open mind and heart.

I have thought about sublingual immunotherapy but have yet to prioritize it. I did briefly attempt BIE (bio-energetic intolerance elimination) unsuccessfully. I eat bioflavonoid-rich foods and supplement with Quercetin and vitamin C, which have natural antihistamine properties. I intend to try nettle leaf but keep forgetting to buy it.

Adapting to change

It’s not stress that kills us, it is our reaction to it.

~ Hans Selye

Physically, one way to become less reactive is to practice mindful breathing. I take some deep breaths and focus on the sensations in my body. It helps to reduce physical reactions and to think more clearly and calmly. I focus on the heart and listen with compassion to what it is trying to tell me.

Mentally, I practice mindful self-awareness, noticing how I feel without reacting to the feelings. I accept my feelings non-judgmentally and without attaching blame or shame. I observe my emotions without trying to manipulate or control them. I find ways to express myself respectfully and take a break from the situation to gain perspective.