There are many causes of rhinitis, including pollen, but fatigue and stress cannot be overlooked as causes of sudden rhinitis or a sudden worsening of rhinitis.

This time, we will explain the stress that is related to rhinitis and introduce methods that can help improve it.

All four types of stress are related to the worsening of rhinitis!

Stress refers to the physical and mental reaction to some kind of stimulus, and it is said that there are four main causes of this unpleasant reaction.

These can also trigger or worsen rhinitis.

Below are four types of stress that affect rhinitis and specific examples (stressors).

• Physical stress: heat, cold, air pressure, skin irritation
  
  
• Chemical stress: Pollutants such as exhaust fumes
  
  
• Biological stress: mold, pollen, animal hair, insects, house dust
  
  

• Mental and physical stress: autonomic nervous system disorders caused by tension, overwork, lack of sleep, etc.

The mechanism of rhinitis is that when the nasal mucosa is irritated, substances such as histamine and choline leak out of mast cells, causing inflammation of the nasal mucosa.

Well-known examples are biological stressors such as pollen and house dust.

Rhinitis that develops when you suddenly go outside into the cold, or when you experience extreme temperature changes, is also known as cold allergy.

The four stresses not only have an effect individually, but sometimes act in combination to cause or worsen rhinitis.

The stressors for the above 1 to 3 stresses are clearly defined, and research into countermeasures is currently underway.

However, when it comes to number 4, "Physical and mental stress," progress may not be as strong as with numbers 1 to 3.

Cases where mental and physical stress triggers and worsens rhinitis

Mental and physical stress can also be caused by disruptions to the autonomic nervous system.

The autonomic nervous system consists of the sympathetic nervous system and the parasympathetic nervous system, and when the body is under stress, the sympathetic nervous system becomes dominant.

Mental and physical stress weakens the resistance of the nasal mucosa, making it more susceptible to irritation.

When exposed to psychological stress for a long period of time, the sympathetic nervous system tends to remain dominant, causing the heart, liver, and other organs to become more active than necessary and wasting energy.

Furthermore, when fatigue accumulates and nutritional status deteriorates, the resistance of the skin and mucous membranes decreases.

Specifically, secretions decrease and the skin tends to become dry, and the skin becomes hypersensitive to physical stimuli such as temperature changes and excessive nose-blowing, as well as chemical and biological stimuli.

Rhinitis tends to worsen when mental and physical stress is relieved

Rhinitis tends to worsen even when stress is relieved. This is a symptom caused by an imbalance in the autonomic nervous system.

Here are some specific times when the condition is likely to worsen:

Sudden temperature changes or body warming can make the condition worse

As soon as you go from the cold outdoors into a warm room, you may start sneezing and experience severe rhinitis symptoms.

This is one of the causes of an imbalance in the autonomic nervous system.

The body, tense from the cold outside air, is dominated by the sympathetic nervous system.

However, as soon as you enter a room, your tension will ease and your body will quickly shift from sympathetic to parasympathetic dominance.

When the parasympathetic nervous system becomes dominant, a substance called acetylcholine is secreted from the peripheral nerves. When acetylcholine sticks to the nasal mucosa, a runny nose occurs.

This is why rhinitis worsens in situations where stress seems to have eased. It's also why your nose gets stuffy when you get into bed and your body warms up.

Even if it subsides in the afternoon, it tends to worsen at dawn or in the morning

The "morning attack" symptom known from asthma and rhinitis (which worsens at dawn or in the morning and subsides by the afternoon) is one of the symptoms caused by an imbalance in the autonomic nervous system, which makes the mucous membranes hypersensitive.

Mornings are delicate times when the body's balance shifts from parasympathetic to sympathetic dominance.

People who already have allergies should be careful as their symptoms are likely to worsen.

Tips for improving stress-related symptoms

When it comes to stress caused by physical, chemical, or biological stimuli where the cause is known specifically, the best thing to do is to avoid the cause.

On the other hand, there are various ways to improve "mental and physical stress" that vary from person to person.

Reduce exposure to allergens and properly manage temperature and humidity

Common measures to combat hay fever, such as removing allergens and taking measures to reduce exposure to allergens, can help improve symptoms.

Maintain proper indoor temperature and humidity levels, and use air conditioners and air purifiers to eliminate allergens. Using an aroma diffuser that doubles as a humidifier and essential oils such as peppermint, eucalyptus, and tea tree can help ease the discomfort of rhinitis with its refreshing scent.

Wearing a mask not only helps maintain humidity but also helps with sudden temperature changes when moving between indoors and outdoors.

To deal with autonomic nervous system disorders, avoid overwork and find a way to change your mood that suits you.

The first thing to do to regulate an imbalance in the autonomic nervous system is to review your lifestyle habits, but other recommended things to do are to "use your five senses to find ways to relax yourself" and "be conscious of your breathing."

The five senses are "sight, hearing, touch, taste, and smell." By consciously enjoying the five senses that we use every day,

"I like this feeling"
"It's reassuring to feel this way"
"This is how I feel, I can relax"

You will be able to discover your own way of relaxing.

For example, here are some ways to enjoy it:

• Visual: Looking at pictures, watching movies, looking at beautiful scenery

• Hearing: Listen to music, natural sounds, healing music

• Touch: Touch fabrics, stuffed toys, and clay models

• Taste: Going on gourmet tours and making homemade sweets

• Smell: Burning aromatherapy or incense, enjoying herbal tea

If you want to relax with music, healing music is the best.

Recently, various types of healing music that are specifically designed for relaxation have been introduced.

In particular, music with "1/f fluctuation" is expected to increase the alpha waves that appear in the listener's brain waves when they are relaxed.

This 2-disc healing best of alpha wave music box set features songs and soothing melodies you've heard in TV dramas, commercials, and movies arranged for a music box!

Just listening to this will soothe your mind and body... It will take you to a comfortable and relaxing space. [Special 2-disc package]

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Also, music that has a relaxing effect is not limited to music that is released with the label "healing."

Classical music by composers such as Mozart is also said to have healing effects.

This superb healing album mixes soothing natural sounds with beautiful classical music by Mozart, pursuing the ultimate in relaxation.

The chirping of birds, the murmuring of a stream, the sounds of insects...
Enjoy a moment of relaxation in the refreshing natural surroundings, where sunlight filters through the trees.

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Consciously control your breathing

Breathing techniques have recently been attracting attention as a very effective method for regulating the autonomic nervous system.

Humans can consciously control their breathing. It is said that when you are in a meditative state where you are conscious of your breathing, you can observe alpha brain waves, which are produced when the mind and body are relaxed.

Breathing techniques include mindfulness meditation, Zen, and yoga, but there are also commercially available booklets on how to meditate on your own while listening to a CD, so it's a good idea to give them a try.

It may help to improve your mind and body and reduce allergy symptoms.

▼You can listen to each song individually▼

Regulate your autonomic nervous system to prevent rhinitis from worsening

If you experience repeated bouts of acute rhinitis and cannot identify the allergen, it may be due to an imbalance in your autonomic nervous system. In such cases, it is a good idea to consult a doctor and at the same time, try to find ways to regulate your autonomic nervous system.

If you can regulate your autonomic nervous system, you may find that your painful runny nose and stuffy nose will be alleviated.