I started off this year determined that things in my life were going to be different, as many of us do. Now, I’m not talking about making a list of New Year’s Resolutions or anything, I am just talking about grabbing a hold of the feeling that I was 100% ready for some changes to happen in my life. Then taking action on that feeling. Not just once or twice, but making that choice, over and over, every day. Then forgiving myself every time when I just haven’t been able to get my body to deliver on what I wanted it to do. Among the things that I wanted to be different, a top thing was I wanted to make some changes that would positively impact my health. Namely things that would improve my energy and reduce my allergy symptoms. Since then I have pinpointed three things that I am now doing to better manage my health and specifically, my allergies.
The first and easiest change was incorporating an amino acid, N-Acetyl L-Cysteine (NAC). NAC is the supplemental form of Cysteine, which is an amino acid. In the body NAC is used to build glutathione. Glutathione is often called the ‘master antioxidant’. I came across it in my research on thyroid hormones. In an article on PubMed on allergic rhinitis, it was concluded that NAC could “potentially suppress the allergen-induced nasal inflammatory cascade.” Although I may not be able to fully understand all medical information that I am presented with, I am more than familiar with wanting to ‘suppress’ ‘allergens’ and ‘inflammatory cascade’, although I call inflammatory cascade by different names. Such as allergic meltdown and allergy attack. I also read that NAC helps to thin and break down mucus, as well as helping the body to reduce inflammation. (There was a lot more to it for those who are interested so I will attach the links at the bottom.) I decided I would give it a try and purchased a bottle of capsules off of Amazon. That was two months ago now. Also, for those of us dealing with allergies that are being fed and amped up by Type 2 Inflammation – that over-the-top immune system response – the NAC feels like it is also helping reduce my overall flare baseline. Basically helping keep my ‘allergy bucket’ a little less full all of the time.
I have been trying to keep track of my symptoms, not an easy feat on a good day mind you, lol. Especially with the added surgery in there, but I have noticed a few things just in the last two months. I am less tired. I have far less allergic rash most days. Even days when I have had to go grocery shopping and whatnot. I have had less issues with post nasal sore throat. I have had less overall nasal drainage. And my recovery time after exposures has been noticeably shorter. So, maybe it’s not a cure, but it’s a pretty big win in my book. I’m going to keep taking it for sure.
The second change so far has been the most financially costly, and that is buying a couple of high quality HEPA air purifiers. I did some fairly expensive research, looking for the GOLD standard of air purifiers, one that would help not only reduce the allergens in the air, but would also be able to filter out things like farmland chemicals that I react to as well. I weighed a lot of factors including quality, considered whether or not the purifiers could filter out more than just allergens, cost, and long term value. I also looked for ones that were being consistently recommended. One brand stood above the rest consistently for quality, ability to filter as well as things like ease of moving from one end of the house to another, (On the same floor.) and long term value. That brand was Austin Air. The model I choose was the Austin Air Bedroom Machine with it’s five stage filtration and ability to filter even chemicals out of the surrounding environment. That particular model is known for having 15 POUNDS of activated charcoal and is shown to be better able to handle things like chemicals and smoke particulates.
Just this last weekend my second purifier arrived. Just in time for the first lawn cutting of the season. I got it plugged in just as the lawn mower fired up. It took two days of mowing to cut through the thick spring grass, but despite even having to go outside to go between vehicle and house briefly, (I immediately showered and rinsed my nose and eyes.) and having my outdoor wood burner running, I had very little allergic fallout from the mowing. Mostly what I did have was a bit of a headache, but I don’t know how much of that was from the mowing and how much was fallout from the post surgery infection in my face. (Appointment for that it tomorrow.) But, no sneezing, no itching and only a bit of post nasal drip down my throat. Another win for battling allergies in 2026!
Now, for the third and most complicated thing on my list today. Decluttering. Yes, you heard me right. Decluttering. Getting rid of some of the dust magnets in my house. Opening up space for positive air flow and just letting go of the things that are sucking up space, collecting clutter and building up dust and debris. That may not seem like the most traditional allergy ‘treatment’ that is out there, but after I worked on clearing some stuff out last year, I did find that that did help with reducing my overall allergic burden and positively impacted my peace and presence of mind inside my house. I’m hoping by continuing this process throughout this year, it will continue to show these benefits and more as time goes on.
I think that it is important to note here that I can’t always get my body to just stop on work on large areas at a time or for a long period of time. But when I look at this from the lens of every LITTLE bit helps, even when I only let go of one book or one dish, or one article of clothing, I am still working towards the life that I want to have.
That, ladies and gentleman is the three things I am doing this year, in 2026, to better manage my allergies and improve my health, both physically and mentally. Is there any way I can help encourage you in your health walk today? Please comment below.
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