7 Things You Need to Survive Allergy Season in New Jersey

Obvi. Now, it took me a while to find ones that worked for me, and at this point I go with the generic version of Zyrtec-D. I actually start taking it once a day on March 1st, before my allergies (typically) even start flaring up, which means I'm afraid I'm already starting too late for this season! I also get TERRIBLY itchy eyes, and I've been using Zaditor OTC drops, which seem to help me a lot. I've tried tons of prescription and OTC pills and drops, but at this point, this is the combo that works for me! Trial and error til you find what works for you!

I find that even the 'non-drowsy' allergy meds make me tired, and the allergy symptoms alone really wipe me out. For better or worse, I definitely wind up upping my caffeine intake to counteract the dreaded allergy season haze.

Necessary. In the house, in the car, in my bag, at work, in just about every pocket...those little travel packs are my best friend from March through June (and then again in the fall!) Seriously, there's nothing worse than realizing your nose is running and you have no tissues. You are a grown up, your sleeve should not be an option!

This is the hardest one for me to stick with because I'm TERRIBLE at drinking enough water on a normal day. I really find though that when I stay on top of it, the extra hydration helps reduce my allergy symptoms.

To cover my puffy, swollen, watery, itchy eyes. Because I don't want to explain for the 100th time that "No, I'm not high or hungover, just suffering at the hands of pollen, thanks."

Some people are really on top of their stuff, and have this rule in place already. I usually don't, but it becomes necessary during allergy season. You don't realize how much stuff (like pollen) your shoes track into your house. For me, it's not even the thought of the dirt, it's just knowing that bringing that pollen inside is going to make me incredibly miserable! (Bonus: it's an excuse to get a pedi and/or some cute socks!)

This one is tough for a lot of people, but a lot like the shoe policy, it's super important for your sanity. You don't realize while you're walking around that pollen is getting trapped on your clothes and in your hair. You may want to think about changing your clothes when you get home, but the night shower is really key. Think about it - the pollen goes from your hair onto your pillow, which you roll around on all night...so you're breathing it in and getting it near your face all night...meaning you wake up extra congested and crusty-eyed. Sexy!