The weather is starting to warm up and the days are getting longer which means Spring is here! Here are some tips to get recharged for the new season.
Consider Becoming an “Early Bird” – studies have shown that people who wake up earlier are healthier than those night owls who snooze the morning away. Taking advantage of the morning light will also give you a good dose of needed vitamin D. And you’ll get a leg up on symptoms of depression.
Get Dirty – and let your kids get dirty too. Getting dirty can expose you to common bacteria, and those bacteria are actually good for you. When they routinely inhabit our bodies, they can produce vitamins and proteins we need and help make our immune and gastrointestinal systems work.
Change your Pillows – some experts estimate that after five years up to 10% of a pillow’s weight is made up of allergens, asthma-provoking bacteria, pollen, fungi, mold and dust mites. Disgusting, yes, so take steps to allergy-proof pillows with protective covers that seal out allergens, and wash pillowcases with hot water weekly. Can’t remember when you bought your pillows? Experts recommend tossing them out every three to five years.
Start Thinking About Allergy Season – If you know you’re prone to sniffles and sneezes as the weather warms up, now is the time to stock up on allergy medications. And there’s some extra good news this year: both BSA CareXpress Urgent Care Centers, Panhandle Pediatrics, and many Family Medicine Centers now offer allergy testing. We test for 48 allergens specific to our geographical location, both seasonal and perennial, trees, grasses, weeds, animals, and insects. Testing only takes about 15 minutes and is non-invasive and not painful!