(BPT) - For anyone with asthma, keeping symptoms under control can sometimes feel like a constant struggle. Between seasonal weather changes and allergies, indoor and outdoor pollutants, and warding off colds and the flu, it may seem that your asthma medications just aren't doing enough.

Because asthma is a chronic condition that responds to your overall health and the environment, it's important to be proactive in managing the condition. If symptoms keep coming back even while you're using medications, check in with your doctor and adjust your treatment plan.

To help people with asthma gain better control, medical experts with Allergy & Asthma Network recommend a whole-body approach. By boosting your wellness through specific lifestyle changes, you can improve how you feel every day - and keep your asthma symptoms more manageable.

Here are tips and resources to help improve your well-being with asthma.

Use exercise to reduce airway inflammation

You've probably heard that exercise is good for your overall health, but it can also play an important role in managing your asthma. Exercise can improve lung function, reduce airway inflammation and strengthen your immune system, which can reduce your risk of respiratory infections. Stronger muscles also improve blood flow to the lungs, helping you breathe more easily.

Since exercise can be an asthma trigger, check with your doctor before starting an exercise program. Begin with low-impact activities like brief walks or bike rides. You can also try strength training using light weights or resistance bands.

Eat healthy, anti-inflammatory foods

Nutrition can be another valuable tool for managing asthma. For some people, eating anti-inflammatory foods can help, like fresh fruits, veggies and lean meats. It can also help if you limit intake of carbohydrates (think bread and pasta) and alcohol. Talk to your doctor or a nutritionist for advice on managing your weight and eating a healthier diet.

Find and remove potential asthma triggers

It's hard to avoid asthma triggers everywhere. But you can start by reducing them at home. Identifying your specific asthma triggers will help you decide what to tackle first.

Get mold cleaned out right away and use a dehumidifier to prevent mold growth. Keep windows and doors closed to keep pollen outside and use portable or whole-home air purifiers. Frequently washing bedding in hot water, keeping pets out of bedrooms, and eliminating carpet and rugs can reduce exposure to dust mites and pet dander.

Ask your healthcare provider about adjusting your medications on days when air quality is worse.

Get quality sleep

Not getting enough sleep can affect your immune system. This plays a huge role in lung health. It's important to develop good sleep habits. Keep your bedroom dark, quiet and free of potential triggers like dust mites (washing bedding regularly can help). Avoid alcohol or caffeine close to bedtime, and take a break from digital devices an hour or two before you go to bed. It also helps to keep the same sleeping and waking schedule every day, even on weekends.

Reduce stress

As you may already know, stress can impact any medical condition, including lung diseases like asthma. To help reduce stress in your life, consider activities that relax you, like meditation, yoga, walking outdoors or reading. If you're feeling a lot of anxiety or depression, consider seeking counseling.

Stick to your treatment plan

To help keep your asthma under control, it's key to continue taking your medications as prescribed, including albuterol inhalers for quick relief and your daily controller medications (usually inhaled corticosteroids).

If your asthma is not well controlled, ask about advanced medications called biologics. These are for people with moderate to severe asthma or eosinophilic asthma. Biologics work at the cellular level, with the goal of stopping symptoms before they can start.

If you feel that your asthma symptoms are not well managed, discuss your treatment plan with your healthcare provider to see if changes need to be made.

Try Virtual Asthma Coaching

It may feel overwhelming to manage a chronic condition like asthma, but you don't have to do it alone. Get support through the Virtual Asthma Coaching Program, part of Allergy & Asthma Network's Trusted Messengers program. It's a free six-week series of one-on-one online sessions with a certified asthma educator (available in English and Spanish). You'll learn practical ways to improve your environment, maintain healthy habits and work with your healthcare team to better control your asthma.

These sessions are designed to help people with asthma adopt healthy behaviors and make informed decisions about their health. Visit AsthmaCoach.org to learn more and sign up.