Do you look forward to warm balmy days but dread the thought of a runny nose, itchy eyes and constant sneezing? If you suffer from hayfever summer can be an uncomfortable time with irritating symptoms affecting your daily life. But did you know that boosting your immunity could help prevent such symptoms? Make a few small lifestyle changes and instead of reaching for a box of tissues and the antihistamines you’ll be grabbing your sun hat to enjoy the warm weather.

A gut feeling

80% of your immune system exists within your gut, so when you’re suffering from digestive problems, issues with your immunity are likely to follow. Eating too many refined foods can lead to an inflamed gut and Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) causing indigestion, bloating, diarrhoea and constipation. The effect on your immune system? It goes into overdrive so when any additional pressure is added it just cannot cope. Eating a balanced diet packed with fresh and wholesome foods will result in a stronger immune system that can deal better with allergens such as pollen.

Calm down!

Stress really does affect your immune defences. If you haven’t had hayfever in the past and suddenly realise you’re suffering from the symptoms, take a step back and look at your lifestyle and your stress levels. Are you spending too much time racing around in the Red Zone? (See last month’s newsletter). When you are under stress your body produces a number of hormones and chemicals as a defence mechanism adding additional pressure to your immune system.

Turn on the taps

How many of us really drink enough water? The chances are you could be dehydrated without realising and this could be contributing to your hayfever symptoms. When you don’t drink enough water your body becomes dehydrated and releases the chemical histamine which preserves the existing water in your body. The production of histamine in the body creates the classic allergic symptoms of a runny nose and itchy eyes.

Kath’s tips on fighting hayfever

• Look after your digestive system by avoiding refined foods. Eat plenty of fresh produce and vary your intake of fruit and vegetables with a rainbow of colours.
• Start your day with a glass of water with freshly squeezed lemon.
• Throughout the day swap your coffee, tea or soft drink for a large glass of water.
• Drink two glasses of water as soon as you feel your hayfever symptoms kick in and you’ll be amazed at the difference.
• What zone are you in? Take some time to wind down and distress. Relax in a bath of Epsom bath salts as your Friday ritual.