As the weather changes, you may start to notice a small cough or the need to blow your nose more often than normal. Allergies are common in many individuals and may cause more than just a slight discomfort. Allergies can actually have profound impact on your sleep and require more attention than what you previously thought. Read more to find out how allergies impact sleep and what you can do about it. 

How do allergies affect sleep? 

Allergens are small particles that cause an immune reaction in the body. They can lead to nose and throat congestion, which leads to a lot of nose blowing and coughing. These activities can make it hard to go to sleep and stay asleep. It is hard to feel like you can breathe when your nose is congested, and coughing can be painful and uncomfortable. 

Allergies can disrupt sleep to the point where you wake up and feel really tired and grumpy. The vicious cycle just continues until you get some help or your allergies die down. This vicious cycle may also prompt you to solve your issues with sleep aids and/or alcohol, but that is not a good idea. It creates dependency and can cause other issues. 

How to get good sleep with allergies? 

Getting a good night's sleep with allergies may seem impossible, but it is definitely doable. One way to help is to get an air purifier. Air purifiers help to clean the air in your bedroom and home to clear it of any dust mites, mold, pollen, or other allergens that can flare during the night. Closing your windows and doors will also help with this process. 

Keeping a clean house is also a way to help you get good sleep with allergies. If you have pets or your house is often dirty,then it is essential to clean and maintain good cleanliness. Clear out any animal fur or anything else that can be an allergen to you. You can even keep yourself clean by taking a shower at night before bed so you can remove any allergen that may be on you before going to bed. This may also help to keep your sleeping space allergen free. 

Make sure to take your allergy medication, specifically if it has a nighttime or sleep function. Don't forget to talk to your doctor about what's going on with you and how to improve your situation. You don't have to suffer alone as the weather continues to change, keep yourself prepared to get through and get a good night's sleep! 

If you are having a hard time falling asleep, and you have dealt with your allergies, please click below to take a free online sleep test. 

[Sources]:

https://www.sleepfoundation.org/allergies-and-sleep