Wait… Is This Depression or Just Pollen?
Every spring like clockwork, I wake up and think:
“Why am I so tired?”
“Am I coming down with something?”
“Is this… depression?”
Nope. It’s allergies.
Again.
And every year, I somehow forget.
While most people associate allergy season with sneezing fits and itchy eyes, my symptoms are sneakier. I don’t wake up looking like a Benadryl commercial—I just feel off. Sluggish. Foggy. A little irritable. Sometimes my nose is stuffy or dripping on a walk, but mostly it’s this low-level heaviness that makes it hard to get out of bed. Sound familiar?
My Allergy Origin Story
I didn’t even know I had allergies until my early 20s when I moved to California. I broke out in what looked like large irregular shaped polka dots (spoiler: hives). An allergist told me I had high histamines and that my immune system was basically throwing a confetti party every time I went outside.
It’s been a ride ever since.
And the wildest part? One of my biggest triggers is the beautiful-smelling jasmine that blooms all over the Bay Area in the spring—especially right after you get off the El Cerrito BART station near my neighborhood. It smells incredible. And yet it makes me sniffly and tired.
Why do I love the scent so much… if I’m allergic to it? Life is weird.
The Magical Camping Trip
Fast-forward a few years: I’m a mom now, and my girls are going to preschool. I meet this amazing woman Nathalie. Another mom at our kids preschool who happens to be an herbalist and acupuncturist. We go camping together (as you do when your kids are small and feral), and I see her having the WORST allergy flare-up. Five minutes later? Gone.
I asked her what happened, and she very humbly said,
“Oh, I took something I made—it’s just an herbal formula I’m working on.”
To which I responded, “Can I get some of that magic?”
She ended up turning it into a product, and I’ve been using it ever since.
My Favorite Natural Allergy Remedies
1. Lucidia (by Nathalie & her company is called Artemis Theraputics)
My BEST choice. Simple ingredients, super effective, doesn’t make me feel weird or wired.
👉 Use code EvaB10 for 10% off your order here:
https://artemistherapeutics.com/f/Evab/
2. AllerDx
A solid backup. You can usually find it at Whole Foods or your local hippy grocery store. Works in a pinch.
3. Sudafed (aka the nuclear option)
If I’m out of everything else, Sudafed can help me get rid of allergies & concentrate, but it also makes me a little cranky and messes with my sleep. Not ideal, but useful when I have no other choice.
Why This Matters for Your Workouts (and Life)
When your body is busy dealing with allergies, your workouts might feel harder, your joints might feel creakier, and your motivation might mysteriously disappear. That’s not just in your head—it’s in your histamine levels.
Research has shown that histamines increase inflammation in the body, and chronic allergic inflammation can lead to fatigue, brain fog, and even mild depression-like symptoms. (Journal of Inflammation Research, 2021)
Which means… yes, your allergies might actually be sabotaging your workouts and your mood.
Simple Allergy Survival Tips from Me to You
Drink more water than you think you need. Allergies can be drying. Hydration helps.
Rinse off after outdoor exposure. Even a splash of water on your face and a saline nasal spray can go a long way.
Use eye drops—not the fancy stuff, just plain lubricating ones. It helps if you’re feeling irritated.
Move your body anyway—but give yourself grace. Low-impact movement like walking or stretching can help clear things out without pushing your system too hard.
I don’t usually write about products I love, but this time I felt called to share. If you’re feeling blah and wondering if something deeper is wrong try checking in with your body. It might just be spring.
Got questions about allergies and movement? I’m always here. I don’t have all the answers, but I do have Lucidia, water, and a yoga mat with your name on it.
Stay hydrated, stay kind to yourself, and remember:
It’s not just you.