The summer evil...

Sneezing, runny nose, and itchy eyes are all signs of seasonal allergic rhinitis aka hay fever. The summer cold basically. I, like many other people, suffer from this annoyance and to say it gets in the way is an understatement. I suffer from it quite badly I not only get the first three signs but because I sneeze so much my throat is raw and dry and since my nose is blocked I have a problem breathing- this is what probably causes my headaches. Not good either way!

Can you believe that 1 in 5 people in the UK is affected by hay fever with the most common cause being grass pollen. While a quarter of suffers are affected by trees and only a few are triggered by weed pollen. (inserted below is a picture of the pollen calendar so if you suffer you can see what pollen is causing it). I am the unlucky one being affected by all!

From this as you can see when the chances are of being affected by pollen the most. For me I'm affected from March to October (the whole hay fever cycle) and then winter comes along with its own illnesses. If I am lucky though the weather can help.

We haven't had much of a summer which is bad as a whole but for people like me its had its perks. As the weather as been cooler the pollen levels haven't been as high, and as the hotter weather took longer to get here than usual for hay fever suffers we've had a bit of a longer break of being able to breathe (and wear eyeliner). Of course, as we're now in July the hay fever is at its highest and since some days are cooler and raining it clears the air of pollen but the next day it's back with a fresh assault. What doesn't help is people (ie. the council) choosing the hottest day to cut a field releasing all that 'lovely' pollen to those already suffering from the days assault but that deserves a whole rant to itself. I always find that when I am around people cutting their grass I feel worse what about you- comment below.

Mornings are always worse because pollen is released early in the morning. I've read so many different articles on how to reduce the affects of pollen and found these to be the best ones:
•Keep windows closed at night so pollen doesn't enter the house. (This is good because it stops the early morning pollen getting in your house and getting attached to you and your bed which later will be a problem when you go back to bed.)
•Buy a pair of wraparound sunglasses to stop pollen entering your eyes. (This is great because when you do have to be outside and walking by a field it protects your eyes a bit more as well as stopping you from rubbing your eyes in case you have pollen on your hands too.)
•Keep car windows shut when driving. (This works averagely well but I find since I live in quite a high pollen level area anyway that when I am leaving the area I can breathe better so having the windows closed don't make a lot of difference.)
•Don't mow the grass or do other work in the garden. (This I avoid anyway but if you do have to do work in your garden do it on a cloudy cooler day as pollen levels will be lower.)
•Avoid fields and large areas of grassland. (This sometimes can't be avoided and it is a nightmare when you have to walk through them but if you wear sunglasses then it averagely reduces the amount of pollen affecting you.)

There are other things to better protect yourself like tablets, eye drops, and nose sprays. The first two are brilliant at protecting you from the onslaught of pollen and nose sprays as well as Vaseline can work at reducing pollen in your nose but I found it didn't work for me because I sneezed so much but do try anything and everything!

Comment below any other ways to help get through the way for all hay fever suffers and do speak about your problems with it! I know people that don't understand it and think of it as just a cold: "oh it can't be that bad" but we as a group can say it is!
NHS hay fever page with all information needed: http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/hayfever/Pages/Allabouthayfever.aspx


Update:

Just to show some of the highest places for hay fever- I live in Luton- the bright red bit.

the Little Princess Trust

A few months ago I decided to do something for charity, to give back. What I decided was to cut my hair short seeing as it was long enough to be donated to make a wig. I decided to donate my hair to the 'little princess trust' who make wigs for children who have lost their hair to cancer or other illnesses. It costs roughly £350-£400 to make a wig so I also set up a donate page so that I could raise money for them as well.

My target was £150 which was raised within the first month of putting up the post. I soon watched the amount rise to what stands at roughly £800. Last Wednesday was the day booked for the cut, roughly 10 inches was cut from my hair and will now be posted to them along with the cheque. Money is still being collected so I don't know exactly how much I have raised however I will post how much has been raised for this good cause.

Update: On the 16th of September I counted up all the money that had been collected and the amount was £854. An amazing amount for this charity who make wigs free of charge for children who have lost their own.

"What a night"

On Thursday I went to see Mamma Mia and I must say it was one of the best shows I've seen. This was the first time I saw Mamma Mia and I've fallen in love with it. A definite must see.

My favourite part had to be the hen night. I loved all the songs and how they showed the confusion of Sophie's situation through lights, music and movement.

My favourite song varies but the best had to be Dianne Pilkington's the winner takes it all. The powerful song definitely deserved a standing ovation which she received at the end of the night. Another song that also challenges the second place is Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! and voulez vous these songs were accompanied with amazing light and sound techniques.

Finally the end of the night ended with dancing queen where everybody danced including the audience and the main six characters were in fancy costumes that shocked the eyes.

There was only one thing that ruined the night and that was the rudeness of people getting on the train home. People on trains there’s no need to push and shove if you don't get a seat then stand like the rest of us. Also there’s no need to nearly start a fight too!

Who's seen Mamma Mia and what were your views on it? If you haven't I suggest you do!
Who else hates the rudeness that people show nowadays? Comment below with your answers.

It's all a circle

Life. What is the meaning of life? The question has been scrutinized over and over for as long as mankind can remember but when it comes down to it there is no answer.

Many believe that the meaning of life is love. Friendship. Being successful. I don’t believe that. The meaning of life, in my eyes is simple. Life is a never-ending circle, going around and around as generations are born, grow, experience and then die as life wills it.

Many take on the yolo- you only live once- aspect of life. Looking at the world seeing everything it has to offer taking opportunity’s and experiencing  life  as it goes on. That is a good way of life to live but the very word is incorrect. Yolo is wrong as you don’t ‘only live once’ in fact you live every day, you only die once so in theory yodo should be the correct term.

I believe that life should be experienced to the fullest before you settle down in to a straight forward life of having a family, a career and a home. There are many things I want to do in life before I settle down and the first being able to travel the world. To be honest I’ve done a lot of traveling in the short time I’ve lived but I want to extend that. Broaden my horizons so to speak. That is how I feel life should go.

What do you think? What is the meaning of life to you?
Comment below I’d love to hear your thoughts.