How to Exercise Outside when You Have Cedar Allergies

If you're one of the many people living in central Texas and other locations who suffer from cedar allergies, then the idea of exercising outside during cedar pollen season is going to bring back memories of sneezing, wheezing, coughing and red-rimmed eyes. And those aren't pleasant memories.

Mountain cedar allergy is a an allergic reaction to the pollen of the ashe juniper. According to Wikipedia, ashe juniperis commonly found in native to northeastern Mexico and the south-central United States north to southern Missouri; the largest areas are in central Texas, where extensive stands occur.

But there is hope. You can still exercise and minimize the allergic reaction. It's a matter of adjusting your schedule and maybe even the exercise you're doing.

Pollen is floating around most in the early morning between 5am and 10 am according to the American Academy Allergy Asthma and Immunology. On days that are rainy, humid or cloudy with little wind, there will generally be a lower pollen count. That's because pollen is so light and floats with the wind. On wet days the pollen will stay on the ground and not float around. Unsure of whether the pollen count is high or not? Check online for the pollen count.

Since everyone's degree of tolerance for cedar pollen varies, you're going to have to decide at what pollen level you start showing allergy symptoms. Once you have an idea of what counts trigger your symptoms you can adjust your exercise times. Or change the type of exercise you do.

Change The Type Of Exercise You Do To Minimize Cedar Allergy Symptoms

If you run or jog and absolutely have to exercise in the early morning, then you might want to consider walking. When you walk, you're not forcing or inhaling as much of the pollen in your lungs as you are moving at a slower rate of speed. You also aren't breathing as deeply which means less pollen inside your body. This means fewer symptoms. You can also choose "slower" exercise programs like yoga or a location with fewer trees.

Minimize Cedar Allergy Symptoms By Changing The Time Of Day When You Exercise

Since pollen floats most early in the morning, then switch if possible to an outdoor evening exercise program.

Remember when you return inside, immediately remove your shoes to avoid tracking pollen inside. Some people find using a saline nasal spray and eye drops as soon as they come inside helps. When you remove your clothing don't place it on the bed. Either place in the washing machine immediately or put them in a place where you don't usually sit, or sleep. Also take a shower and wash your hair. Don't shake out your clothes, as you don't want to spread the pollen around inside your home.

Replace the filter on your heating/cooling unit frequently during cedar allergy season. Use a HEPA filter to catch as many little bits of pollen as you can.

Cedar allergies are challenging but you can still manage to exercise outside with some modifications. And the good news when the spring comes the cedar pollen is done for another year.