(HealthNewsDigest.com) – Being up all night tossing and turning is sure to keep you from getting a good night’s rest. Many of us take sleep for granted, but when seasonal allergies hit, we often beg for the season to be over as soon as possible. A lack of sleep can cause major problems in your performance and knowing what is causing these challenge is important. In this article, we are going to talk about whether season allergies are the reason you’re losing sleep and what you can do to have a better sleep.

The Importance of Sleep

It’s easy to reach for the sleep aids and hope that you are able to catch some zs, but that isn’t a long-term solution for allergy season. Sleep is a key part of being able to function, and if you aren’t getting quality sleep, there are plenty of problems you may face because of it.

Lack of sleep not only causes you to be cranky in the morning, but you can start to pack on the pounds because of too few hours of sleep. Good sleepers tend to consume fewer calories and often have a smaller waistline. Poor sleep can mess with your hormones that regulate your appetite which is why you are likely to consume more calories and be fatter than good sleepers.

When you rest well, you may notice that you are able to concentrate more and also be more productive. Higher brain function is closely linked to better performance, and your brain is proven to function better when it is running off enough sleep.

The amount of sleep someone needs can differ depending on the person’s age, activity level and more. If you need more than the traditionally recommended eight hours of sleep, you shouldn’t feel bad, and if you need less than eight hours of sleep per night, you shouldn’t force yourself to continue sleeping.

Signs of Seasonal Allergies

If you are experiencing itchy nose, mouth, eyes, and throat, these are top signs that you could be dealing with seasonal allergies. Difficulty smelling, runny nose and sniffling or sneezing along with watery eyes and headaches are other signs that you might be suffering from seasonal allergies.

To go along with all of the above signs of seasonal allergies, you may also experience sleep loss. Sleep loss isn’t something to ignore. When you experience nasal congestion, swollen nasal passages and feel the upper airway narrowing, it isn’t easy to rest. When your nasal passages narrow, you may notice that you snore more and it can cause increased symptoms if you have sleep apnea.

You may go to bed feeling good but then have problems due to congestion shifting from the pull of gravity. When congestion makes it to the airways, it further narrows them which makes it even more difficult to sleep.

When you don’t get enough sleep, you may experience excessive sleepiness, fatigue, memory impairment and difficulty concentrating. The decrease in your quality of life is likely to be substantial so doing everything you can to remedy the problem is important.

Dealing with Seasonal Allergies

While seasonal allergies may feel like the end of the world, that isn’t the case. There are things you can do to deal with them until they pass.

Reducing the amount of time you are out around allergens is the biggest way you can fight against allergies. Most people are not able to stay in the house all day, but the less you can be outside around pollen and other allergens that aggravate your allergies, the better. Try to stay inside during the early morning when pollen counts are at their highest if you have to choose when you go in or out. Windy and dry days are the worst for pollen so plan to stay inside on these days.

When you keep your floors clean by vacuuming and mopping frequently, you will cut down on your irritation. When you empty the vacuum make sure that you empty it outside, so you don’t allow allergens to escape. You may also want to use a mask when you are emptying the vacuum.

Remove and wash all clothing you have worn outside. Your shoes should be taken off at the door and kept in a specific place out of the way. If you have a coat or other outerwear, you can put them in the same area to keep the allergens in the house to a minimum. Don’t hang your coat up with the rest of your clothes where the pollen can transfer to other garments.

Use a humidifier so you can cut down on the dryness in the home. Find the setting that is right for you and make sure you may note of it. Humidifiers are helpful for children that experience seasonal allergies and they will help parents get more sleep.

Nasal irrigation is also another great way to reduce your irritation and allow yourself to sleep better. Whether you use a nasal spray or something like a Neti pot, this is a big part of keeping your nose clear for easy breathing. The easier you are able to breathe at night, the better sleep you are going to get.

Conclusion

Understanding seasonal allergies and what you can do about them is the first step to successfully managing the allergy season. Making sure you are sleeping well by proper management will help you feel better throughout the day.