Springtime Sloth

I love Spring in Atlanta.  All of the azaleas, tulips, daffodils and dogwoods are a stunning display of color and beauty. But this springtime canvas comes with the price of pollination - the transfer of pollen containing male DNA to the female reproductive part in flowers. The yellow, powdery pollen blankets every nook and cranny exposed to the outdoors.  The grains sift through the air heavily and cause allergies to explode.  The pollen counts reach record breaking levels, and anyone allergic to pollen is forced to stay indoors no matter how perfect the weather may be.

I've never experienced allergies like many of my friends who suffer during one of the prettiest times of year.  Their symptoms include coughing, sneezing, congestion, itchy and watery eyes.  Put these symptoms together and you've got hay fever.

The first week of April was a yellow week in Atlanta. The pollen was smothering. I noticed that I was exhausted during that week.  By late afternoon, I wanted nothing more than to lie down and rest. My body felt heavy and sleepy.  I found it impossible to muster up motivation for getting things done. I couldn't understand why I was feeling this way especially since I was still following the 21-day cleanse guidelines.  Why was I so lethargic when I should have been energized by my diet and exercise routine?

I did a little research and discovered that fatigue is an allergy symptom to pollen.  A person can be allergic to pollen without having the overt symptoms like the sneezing and watery eyes.  Allergy fatigue is the result of the body's immune system trying to fight off a foreign substance, such as pollen.

I don't know if I truly have an allergy or not.  I've never given any thought to the effects of pollen, but it makes sense that it could cause my energy levels to drop. I know that eating superfoods, like the Quantum Wellness Cleanse promotes, will strengthen my immune system during the springtime slump.  But how much can diet help to fight off a pollen allergy?  Do any of you experience fatigue during the pollen season? If so, what do you do to keep your energy levels up during this time? I look forward to your ideas and suggestions.