Pollen, Your Love Bombing is Causing Us Relationship Issues
Recently, I started a relationship with Pollen. Unlike some of you having been in a monogamous relationship with Pollen your whole life, I am new to the continuous yellow fairy dust love bombs showered upon me. Many people who have never had the pleasure of being allergic to breathing are beginning to feel the love.
With the planet heating, pollen has the perfect environment for longer periods of time to reproduce and spread. Growing season has extended by 60 or more days in some areas in the nation. Data shows one in four people in the country have pollen-induced respiratory allergies, and this is just those reported having skin or blood tests done. The changes in weather patterns and higher more frequent precipitation in the southern regions create a perfect climate for mold development. Climate Central, a nonprofit focused on climate research, reported the link between thunderstorms and the spread of allergens. Extreme precipitation is more likely with the current climate crisis which provides the crucial dampness needed for mold to grow. The rain spread mold spores through the air with great efficiency.
But how can we gently break the strong bond pollen is forming with us? If you are overwhelmed by pollens extended love bombing, here are some things to try.
- Work or play outside in the earlier hours of the day when pollen count is low or days it is windy.
- Check the pollen count where you are daily to see what precautions may be needed.
- Rinsing your sinuses to reduce inflammation.
- Remove clothing worn outside as soon as you get home and shower.
- HEPA air filters in your home.
- Eat anti-inflammatory foods.
- Bring back those designer masks you bought during the pandemic. They are great pollen blockers when outside.
- Stock up on allergy medicine. If you start having a really hard time breathing check with your doctor for allergy tests and discuss options.
Pollen, the future of our relationship will be based on strict boundaries.
Teresa Perkins is a climate change and sustainability journalist, who is creating research-based climate change content pertaining to sustainable energy at local, national, and global level for publication and distribution. She partners with non-profit organizations for innovative ideas and sustainability projects and connects global UN Climate Change reports to local initiatives.
