Could STRESS make hay fever worse? Meditation and breathing exercises could be key to relieving allergy flare-ups Reducing tension could relieve sneezing and coughing. People who suffer more flare-ups tend to have a more negative mood. Many hay fever suffers experience more symptoms when stressed. Hay fever and other allergies could be made worse by stress, new research suggests. As a result, meditation and breathing exercises could be the key to relieving allergy flare-ups by reducing tension, scientists claim. And even though sneezing and coughing cause stress, it is now thought that flare-ups could be triggering a self-perpetuating cycle of stress and sneezing. Dr Amber Patterson, from the Ohio State University Medical Centre, said: ‘Stress can cause several negative effects on the body, including causing more symptoms for allergy sufferers. ‘Our study also found those with more frequent allergy flares also have a greater negative mood, which may be leading to these flares.’ Researchers looked at 179 patients over 12 weeks and monitored their allergies. The study, published in the journal Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, revealed that the 39 per cent who had more than one allergy flare-up had higher stress levels than the rest of the group. A number of people tested said they had suffered allergy flare-ups that coincided with how stressed they were feeling. It is thought that the stress could cause the allergy flare-ups, and that these could add to existing stress. Researchers suggest meditation, deep breathing, and avoiding smoking and coffee could help keep stress levels down. It is thought that this year the UK birch pollen season will start three to four weeks earlier than normal. It is thought that this year the UK birch pollen season will start three to four weeks earlier than normal. Image shows a pollen calendar for the UK And a healthy diet and regular exercise may also reduce symptoms of allergies. ‘Symptoms, such as sneezing, runny nose and watery eyes can cause added stress for allergy sufferers, and may even be the root of stress for some,’ said Dr Patterson. ‘While alleviating stress won't cure allergies, it may help decrease episodes of intense symptoms.’ Dr James Sublett, the president of the Illinois based American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology said: ‘Allergy sufferers can also alleviate stress and allergy symptoms by seeing their board-certified allergist. ‘An allergist will help you develop an action plan with ways to avoid allergy triggers and what treatment will be best for your individual needs.’ The news comes just after a pollen expert predicted this year's hay fever season will be particularly bad. Dr Jean Emberlin, Director of Pollen UK, said the birch pollen season will start early and will see very high pollen levels making life difficult for hay fever sufferers. Dr Jean Emberlin predicts that by 2060, between up to 70 per cent of people in England will have hay fever. Maps show (left to right) how the proportion of people with hay fever is expected to increase by 2009, 2020, 2040, 2060 Dr Jean Emberlin predicts that by 2060, up to 70 per cent of people in England will have hay fever. Maps show (left to right) how the proportion of people with hay fever is expected to increase by 2009, 2020, 2040, 2060 She said that Britain currently has one of the highest rates of hay fever in the world with about 25 per cent of the population suffering. She also explained that climate change is likely to make the situation progressively worse in the coming years making the pollen season longer and more intense. Dr Emberlin believes this will have both economic and social costs, impacting exam performance, causing absence from work and decreasing productivity. However, it is not all bad news as Dr Emberlin says there are things people can do to reduce their symptoms. She says it can be helpful to avoid going outside when the pollen count is high - normally from early to mid-morning - and to avoid cutting the grass. She says people can also benefit from wearing wraparound sunglasses to keep the pollen out of their eyes and to avoid drying laundry outside when the pollen count is high.