Spring is a great time of the year in Colorado, but the allergy season is not, so here are five tips to help you survive the allergy season.

Allergy sufferers can be downright miserable as they deal with nasal congestion and itchy watery eyes. Unfortunately, there are no magical cures for seasonal allergies. All we can do is manage the symptoms the best we can. If you are one of those who suffers this time of year, perhaps you can find some relief from this advice from me and Everyday Health.

1) IS IT REALLY ALLERGIES?

The first thing you need to figure out is if it really is allergies. Sometimes that can be a challenge. If the congestion lasts for more than two weeks it's probably allergies. If you aren't having any fever or aches, it's probably not a cold or some other virus. If you aren't sure, I would suggest you treat it as though it were a communicable illness like a cold. Don't cough or breathe on your coworkers, and try to leave a trail of disinfectant on anything you touch.

2) TRY TO GET SYMPTOM RELIEF AT THE DRUG STORE

There are plenty of over-the-counter meds available that can help relieve annoying symptoms like a stuffy or a runny nose, and itchy, watery eyes. Finding one that works for you and your body is the challenge. It's probably going to have to be trial and error. Personally, I would start with the cheapest option first. Greater cost does not always translate into greater effectiveness.

3) TRY SALINE NASAL RINSE

Whenever I have nasal congestion, I don't mess around. I grab the nasal spray, give it a couple of squirts, and let it do its magic. Some people don't like the effects of traditional nasal spray, so a saline nasal rinse is something that might work for you. This can help clear the pollen out or your nasal membranes, so it's worth a try.

4) AVOID OUTDOORS WHEN POLLEN COUNTS ARE HIGH

This seems nearly impossible, but there are some things you can do to help. For example, it might mean foregoing that evening stroll with Fido at the park, or doing your workout in your house rather than your typical jog or walk through the neighborhood. They say pollen counts tend to be higher in the afternoon, so getting out first thing in the morning might help.

5) TAKE IT EASY

If you're really suffering and feel miserable, try to get as much rest as possible. How many of us fight through our symptoms trying to be tough no matter how bad we feel? The fact is, the only thing that's going to do is make you feel worse. So, even though it's not quite like having the flu, you should still take your symptoms seriously.

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