Stress can worsen your hay fever symptoms

Runny nose, sneezing and itchy eyes, the symptoms of hay fever can be spotted from a mile away.

A study, carried out by Professor Jean Emberlin of the National Pollen and Aerobiology Research Unit at the University of Worcester, has found that those who have high levels of stress are more likely to suffer from severe hay fever symptoms.

The study found that 16 per cent of people with low stress levels found their symptoms to be ‘mild or barely noticeable,’ compared to just 6 per cent with the highest stress levels.

Stress makes symptoms worse because of cortisol, a stress hormone, which affects the immune system and makes hay fever symptoms last for longer.

Here are some top ways to reduce your stress levels:
• Ensure that you do daily exercise
• Make sure that you drink at least 8 glasses of water each day
• Write a ‘To-do’ list of all the jobs that you need to complete
• Make sure that you are getting enough sleep
• Eat a balanced and nutritious diet
• Try meditation to calm your mind
• Have a massage
• Visit your local spa
• Close your eyes and count to ten slowly

By Lauren King