If you suffer from persistent allergies, you know that the pollen count is just as likely as the weather to make or break outdoor plans. Having to cancel plans for reasons that not everybody shares, might even make pollen a bigger day-ruiner than the weather.

Peak pollen is any number above 9 on a pollen count index. Pollen counts can be found on our homepage, and even emailed to you through Pollen.com’s free Allergy Alert email service.

Pollen floating like snow is as bad as a snow day for sufferers of allergies.

Since spring and summer mean frequent day with high levels of pollen in the air, it’s important to make plans that aren’t dependent on the pollen count. Here are five great things you can do during peak pollen this spring (and summer):

1. Stay Inside and Read

Knowing you have to stay indoors is never fun, but that doesn’t mean the day has to be a wash! If you’re like me, chances are you have a growing stack of books and magazines somewhere in your house that need an entire day, or more, of work to make a dent into.

Inject some physical activity by taking a quick walk around your home between chapters in books, or articles in magazines. You’ll be surprised how much you can get through with a single day of focused reading. Already a big reader? Challenge yourself with a subject or genre you wouldn’t normally study. Free days are the best days to try something new!

Books on a bookshelf stacked vertically

2. Stay Inside and Play Games

If you have friends who also suffer from allergies, or are sympathetic to your plight, you can turn a day into a game day! Make delicious, fresh springtime food and open up your home for people to come and go with board games or card games on hand to spend the day.

The increasing popularity of board games has created a really invested community, so you’re likely to already know people who are fans of this revitalized pastime. This isn’t just Monopoly and Scrabble either. These modern games bring a level of depth and complexity that ensures repeatable fun!

3. Go Outside and Swim

If your allergic reactions fall in the moderate category, you may find yourself able to spend some time outdoors even during peak pollen. Swimming can be a great way to use this time.

Pollen counts tend to be very low near beaches, so if you’re swimming in natural water, you should find the symptoms to be better than a day at the park. Outdoor pools are generally built on top of, and surrounded by concrete, meaning the pollen threat is also reduced.

Swimming is a great way to enjoy spring and summer

If your symptoms are making you too uncomfortable to visit either a beach or an outdoor pool, go indoors and find a local fitness club with a swimming pool that you can use. Swimming is both great exercise and a guaranteed cool down on warm spring and summer days.

4. Stay Inside and See a Movie (or Two)

Catching an afternoon matinee is a great way to spend an allergenic afternoon. Invite friends or family members to make it a fun mid-day group event. With movie prices on the rise, matinees usually let you save a pretty significant chunk of money and they’re less crowded than the busier Friday/Saturday evening showtimes.

Just like choosing to use these high pollen days for reading, the lower price and extra time available may allow you to expand your cinematic horizons.

Empty cinema. You will enjoy less people at the movies during matinee shows.

5. Go Outside, but Wear a Mask

A mask, like this reusable Breathe Healthy model, empowers you to enjoy whatever activities you like during even the worst peak-pollen days. Best of all, when you’re done, just throw it in the wash to be used on the next high pollen day!

You may still want to stay away from highly concentrated areas (think grassy fields, prairies, etc), but wearing a mask can make the outdoors a lot less daunting in the face of a pollen spike.

Being able to enjoy the warm, dry days of spring and summer is something many people take for granted. At Allergy and Asthma Associates, we’re committed to giving you the best spring and summer possible. We know that the Fox Cities and Northeast Wisconsin have so many great and unique things to do during these warm months.

You’ll find a pollen count forecast on our homepage. This widget lets you know what days are going to be problematic for your pollen-induced allergy symptoms. Additionally, we offer immunotherapy or allergy shots. This medical procedure has a 90% success rate at reducing or eliminating uncomfortable symptoms from pollen allergies. To find out more about immunotherapy, click here.

To set up an appointment with Allergy and Asthma Associates, reach out to us today! We’d love to get your spring and summer back on track!