Springtime is a beautiful season. The life around us springs into color and activity, blossoming into the sunshine and sweet-scented sky. Slumbering plants wake in bursts of hues, offering their beauty to the breeze that carries future flowers through the air. Nature is flourishing; life is good. But then there’s the pollen-sneezing, flower-wheezing people who sing with the birds with their sniffling, whining noises. This is the reality of springtime allergies that take the best of us:
1. You sneeze as much as you breathe.
Chances are, it’s the pollen in the air that’s attacking your sinuses. In response to the invasion, your face decides to have mini-explosions throughout the day to relieve the intruders. It doesn’t work.
2. "Are you crying?"
I know, it’s beautiful outside. Thanks for pointing it out. If I go out there, I may cry, and it won’t be at the view. The eyes begin to water and redden when allergies begin, sometimes causing involuntary tears to be shed.
3. The sun and you don't get along.
Suddenly the one thing you crave most, some warmth from above, is too painful. Allergies can cause migraines, which increase sensitivity to light. So basically you walk around squinting and cringing, but hey, the sun is out so you will be, too.
4. Talking becomes a luxury.
Now your throat is swollen. You sneezed a lung out earlier, and it tore through your throat on the way out. Talking and swallowing is a pain. But you’re outside among friends, trying to enjoy the weather, so texting and basic body language is your new source of communication. Try not to laugh. Ow.
5. The fear of missing out is real.
You probably love the outdoors. Especially with the sunshine and all the people out enjoying it. Friends are inviting you out, fun plans are being made, but you’re cooped up in your room, windows closed, Netflix auto-playing.
6. You have a love/hate relationship with nature.
You have to blame someone. That stuff flying through the air and into your face comes from a tree or flower, and you end up developing a love/hate relationship with a plant. It’s weird. The plant is only being a plant, but you don’t like how it does it.
7. Once you get relief, you celebrate spring more than anyone.
Finally. The medicine is working. You can step outside and breathe in deep and not self-implode. It’s time to plan every hour to make up for what you’ve lost.
Allergies are no fun, but almost everyone has them. When it comes to seasonal allergies, you’ll forget you have them for most of the year. Just remember there are solutions to most symptoms, so stay strong. You can still smell the roses. Eventually.
