Month: December 2025

Breakdown of the difference between seasonal allergy symptoms and a common cold
Health Problems

Breakdown of the difference between seasonal allergy symptoms and a common cold

- by Kathryn Lunceford

1. The “Itch” Factor

The most reliable way to tell the difference is the presence of itching.

  • Allergies: Allergies are an immune overreaction to a trigger (like pollen). This release of histamine causes intense itching. If your eyes, nose, or the roof of your mouth feel itchy, it is almost certainly allergies.
  • Cold: A cold is a viral infection. While your nose might feel irritated, you will rarely experience the “itchy, watery eye” phenomenon associated with hay fever.

2. Speed of Onset

  • Allergies: Symptoms appear immediately after exposure to an allergen. If you walk outside on a high-pollen day and start sneezing within minutes, it’s an allergy.
  • Cold: Viral symptoms develop gradually over one to three days. You might feel a slight scratchy throat on Monday, a runny nose on Tuesday, and a cough by Wednesday.

3. Duration of Symptoms

How long you’ve been “sick” is a major clue.

  • Allergies:
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The most effective natural ways to reduce final exam anxiety and improve focus without relying on energy drinks or high-stress tactics
Health Articles

The most effective natural ways to reduce final exam anxiety and improve focus without relying on energy drinks or high-stress tactics

- by Kathryn Lunceford

1. The “Box Breathing” Technique

When anxiety spikes, your body enters a “fight or flight” state, which shuts down the prefrontal cortex—the part of the brain responsible for complex thinking and memory retrieval.

  • The Method: Inhale for 4 seconds, hold for 4 seconds, exhale for 4 seconds, and hold for 4 seconds.
  • The Result: This simple mechanical process signals your nervous system to switch from the sympathetic (stress) to the parasympathetic (calm) state. Doing this for just two minutes before an exam can “unlock” your memory.

2. Leverage the Pomodoro Technique for Focus

Anxiety often stems from feeling overwhelmed by the sheer volume of material. The Pomodoro Technique breaks your study sessions into manageable chunks.

  • How to do it: Study for 25 minutes of high-intensity focus, followed by a 5-minute break. After four rounds, take a longer 20-minute break.
  • Why it works: Your brain is a muscle; it can only
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