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LIVE WELL. WORK WELL. 20
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MONTHLY HEALTH & WELLNESS NEWSLETTER

APRIL 2025 EDITION

Allergy-proof Your Spring

You may notice that you sneeze and cough more during certain times of the year. In this case, you may have
seasonal allergies,which are allergy symptoms that occur during specific times of the year, typically when
allergens are released into the air. The most common spring allergy trigger is tree pollen, which peaks from
March to May.

You can reduce your exposure to seasonal allergens and their impact on your body, such as sneezing,
stuffy or runny nose, and watery eyes. Try these strategies to manage seasonal allergies:
• Keep track of pollen and mold counts. Pollen and mold counts can be found online or on the local
news. Monitoring allergens, especially tree pollen, can help you know when to avoid spending
excessive time outside.
• Keep the indoor air clean. Closing windows and doors can help prevent allergens from entering your
home and sticking to items like furniture and carpet. Lean on air conditioning, and be sure to change
high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters often.
• Shower and put on clean clothing after spending time outdoors. After playing or working outdoors,
pollen may be stuck to your clothes, hair and skin, which can irritate your allergies.
• Bathe pets often. If your pets go inside and outside, they are likely tracking in pollen on their coats.
Bathe them weekly, especially after spending a lengthy time outdoors.
The Asthma and Allergy • Wash bedding weekly in hot water. Pollen can settle on sheets and blankets, triggering allergy
Foundation of America reports symptoms at bedtime and disrupting your rest.
that 81 million people in the • Vacuum regularly. When pollen levels are high, vacuum floors at least once a week. It’s also best to
country are allergic to pollen, use a vacuum with a HEPA filter.
grass and weeds in the spring.
For many people, avoiding allergens and using over-the-counter medications are enough to ease their
allergy symptoms. Talk to your doctor if your symptoms remain bothersome; they can provide guidance on
alternative treatments.

Creative Ways to Take More Steps

Walking is one of the most accessible forms of exercise. Its benefits extend beyond physical health, as it can also boost your mood and help with mental
clarity. Whether new to fitness or just looking to increase your daily movement, walking offers an easy and effective way to improve your well-being.
However, finding the time or motivation to walk more often can be challenging. Here are some creative and fun ways to get more steps in:

• The 6-6-6 method —One version of this challenge involves walking for 60 minutes at 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. daily, with a suggested six-minute warm-
up and six-minute cool-down. Another version is to walk for six minutes six times a day for six days a week to fit in more movement during the day.
• The 12-3-30 workout —Set a treadmill at a 12% incline and 3 mph and walk for 30 minutes. Incline walking adds intensity to your walk to help
boost calorie burn and muscle engagement. If you take a walk outdoors instead, use hilly routes or find stairs.
• An active (or fake) commute —If you’re a remote worker, you could take a 10-minute walk in the morning or stroll after work. The point of a fake
commute is to use the time that’d normally be spent commuting to an office and use it to make the day more active.
• Walking in place —You can do this anywhere: while watching TV, during a phone call or while waiting for something. For an extra challenge, try
adding variations like marching, high knees or using light hand weights.
•
Walking is one of the easiest ways to improve your health and well-being; these creative strategies can help make it a regular part of your lifestyle. Talk
to your doctor and discuss what works best for you to learn more about creating an active routine.

Zywave, 2025.
This article is intended for informational purposes only and is not intended to be exhaustive, nor should any discussion or opinions be construed as
professional advice. Readers should contact a health professional for appropriate advice. © 2025 Zywave, Inc. All rights reserved.

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