Spring brings more sunshine, longer days, and flowers blooming! What’s not to love?
In many states, the dryness of winter dissipates and brings warmth from the sun. You can spend more time outside and naturally soak up vitamin D to ramp up your spring health journey.
Spending time outside can improve your concentration, help you heal faster, bring happiness, and even make your move more according to Harvard Medical School.
Spring is the perfect time to double down and renew your attention to health and hearing.
Spring health: Take in all 5 senses
While you are feeling the sun on your skin, take a look at the beautiful buds of colorful flowers peeking out of the ground. Smell the fresh air provided by an open window ventilating your home. Reintroduce your taste buds to the wider variety of foods available during this time of renewed spring health.
Most importantly, open your ears to the sounds of spring! Perhaps there is a squirrel digging to hide a nut in the tree by your front door. Or there is a light rain outside misting the grass to return it to its lush, green state.
You may even hear the rustle of a breeze blowing through the trees with their new leaves. Birds and other animals come out of hibernation and return from their migrations to bring a cacophony of pleasant sounds outside your door.
If you are missing out on the sounds of spring, it is time to renew your hearing. Visit an audiologist or take an online hearing test to see if you may benefit from hearing aids.
Hearing aids have different settings for when you are in varied situations: outdoors versus indoors, at a party versus in an intimate conversation, or in a crowd versus watching a movie alone, hearing aids tailor to the setting. If you think hearing aids won’t help you get back in touch with nature, think again.
Improving your hearing is one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself.
Spring health: Don’t let allergies get in your way!
According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, more than 50 million Americans suffer from allergies. When you start to notice ear infections, sneezing, congestion, asthma, or temporary loss of hearing, you should see a doctor right away.
Your nose, ears, and eyes all connect to the Eustachian tube. As mucus and other bodily fluids clog the respiratory tract, the Eustachian tube starts to back up.
When this happens, you start feeling the pressure inside your head. The inflammation and pressure can lead to an ear infection if not treated properly, which can then lead to hearing loss.
Of course, this loss is usually temporary, but permanent damage can result from a lack of treatment. You should see your doctor determine the best treatment plan for you. If you wear hearing aids and also suffer from allergies, it is especially important to keep on top of cleaning your hearing aids as well as consider preventative treatments like decongestants or immunotherapy in the form of allergy shots.
You can also avoid going outside during high pollen times like dawn or dusk to help reduce the risk of allergens. Spring is the best time to renew your hearing aid care regime.
Step into a journey of spring health today!
By: Diana Michel
Sources: Harvard Medical School, ACAAI