Blooming Season, Itchy Eyes and Allergies

Spring is in full swing with beautiful flowers and fresh greenery all around us. However, for many people, this season also means dealing with allergies and asthma. Allergies happen when your body’s immune system overreacts to things it normally shouldn’t, like dust, pollen, or animal fur. Other common triggers include mold, certain chemicals, insect bites, and even some foods—though food allergies are less common.

When an allergen gets into your body, your immune system fights back by releasing chemicals like histamine, which can cause symptoms like sneezing, a runny nose, coughing, and itchy, watery eyes. If your eyes get irritated and you rub them, it might make things worse, leading to eye problems like keratoconus (a misshaped cornea) that can affect your vision. To avoid this, try cleaning your eyelids with gentle wipes or baby shampoo and use a cool washcloth on your eyes instead of rubbing them. Taking a shower at the end of the day also helps to rinse off any allergens like pollen or dust that might be stuck to you.

Allergies and asthma are connected. Asthma is a long-term condition where your airways become inflamed, making it hard to breathe. Things like tightness in your chest, wheezing, and a dry cough are common symptoms. Although genetics can play a small role, lifestyle habits often have a bigger impact. For example, issues in your gut health can affect allergies and even autoimmune diseases.

“Leaky gut” is a term used when tiny bits of undigested food escape into your bloodstream. This happens because your gut lining isn’t functioning well, causing your immune system to overreact. Factors like being born via C-section, using certain medications, eating too much processed food, or even starting solid foods too early in childhood can all contribute to this problem. If the immune system keeps overreacting, it could lead to allergies or even conditions like Celiac disease, where the body can’t handle gluten and causes symptoms like stomach pain, diarrhea, and weakness.

Your gut health depends a lot on the good bacteria living there, called your microbiome. These bacteria help protect you from harmful things like toxins or viruses. Studies show that people with allergies often have less diverse gut bacteria than those who don’t. Taking probiotics can help improve gut health, but they aren’t a magic fix for allergies or autoimmune issues. A healthy lifestyle—eating mostly plant-based foods, drinking plenty of water, staying active, and maintaining a healthy weight—makes a big difference.

In summary, to keep allergies and asthma in check, take care of your overall health. Focus on your gut by eating well, exercising, and staying hydrated. Also, don’t forget those practical tips for managing allergens, like cleaning your eyelids and taking showers to wash off allergens. It’s all about finding balance and keeping your immune system calm so you can enjoy the best of spring!

April, Abundance, Happiness

World Health Day, celebrated this month, marks the anniversary of the World Health Organization (WHO), which was founded in 1948. This day serves as a valuable reminder to prioritize health, especially in this season of blooming flowers and sunny, warmer weather. Many people feel inspired to take better care of themselves, eating nutritious meals, exercising, maintaining daily routines, and managing stress levels. These habits greatly contribute to physical and mental well-being. Personally, I find that investing time in health and building strong personal relationships makes life richer. Smiling and laughter, which are contagious, also add happiness to our lives. Staying connected to positive and supportive people is an integral part of maintaining well-being, often prompting us to redefine our values to include health more consciously.

April Fool’s Day, another notable event this month, originated from ancient festivals like Hilaria (Latin for “joyful”). Celebrated in ancient Rome at the end of March by followers of the Cybele cult, the festivities involved dressing in disguises and mocking others, including magistrates. This tradition is said to have drawn inspiration from the Egyptian legend of Isis, Osiris, and Seth. Interestingly, the theme of humor connects this historical observance to the modern acknowledgment of laughter as the best medicine. Scientific research has proven that laughter reduces stress and pain, strengthens the immune system, and promotes overall health. It relaxes muscles, increases blood flow, improves heart rate, boosts pain tolerance, and reduces inflammation in conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). It even benefits the digestive system, helping to regulate glucose levels after meals.

Diet also plays a significant role in shaping mood and mental health. Studies suggest that dietary changes can enhance quality of life and reduce depression without medication. One study published in the British Journal of Psychiatry found that people who consume whole foods experience fewer symptoms of depression compared to those who rely on processed foods. Another study in Nutrition Journal indicated that vegetarians tend to have more positive moods than meat eaters. The protective effects of fruits and vegetables, alongside the harmful impact of animal foods, influence mood substantially. Plant-based diets are rich in antioxidants and phytochemicals that repair cell damage and reduce brain inflammation, restoring balance to neurotransmitters. Quercetin, a natural antidepressant found in apples, kale, berries, grapes, onions, and green tea, boosts serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine levels in the brain.

Conversely, animal-based foods containing arachidonic acid can trigger inflammatory processes, leading to brain inflammation, anxiety, stress, and depression. Limiting such foods improves both physical and mental health. While omega-3 fatty acids are often recommended for combating depression, plant-based sources of ALA—like walnuts, flax seeds, chia seeds, and leafy greens—provide these essential fats without the negative effects associated with animal products.

Positive emotions and laughter further support vision health by increasing blood flow to facial muscles and eyes, stimulating tear production, and lubricating the eyes. Stress, on the other hand, activates the sympathetic nervous system, causing vascular spasms and reduced blood supply to the eyes. Relaxation practices can counteract these effects, promoting vision improvement and preventing eye diseases. I see it all the time in my students I am teaching a natural vision improvement method.

Whole foods and laughter, truly nature’s medicines, contribute greatly to our health and happiness. By embracing these elements, alongside relaxation practices and positive connections, we can enhance our physical, emotional, and even visual well-being. Let this month inspire us to celebrate life with good health, laughter, and cherished relationships.