The toxic ‘Smog’ badly affecting your health. Follow these preventives to minimize the effect.

The entire north India is covered by dangerous and toxic smog. The situation has worsened by burning stubble by farmers of Punjab, Haryana and some other states. Situation is alarming in Delhi where air quality has deteriorated to such extent that it has been declared much dangerous for people in inhale. Understandably, the toxic air, which is being compared to a gas chamber, is making everyone cough, causing throat irritation and even spreading viral infections. The condition is worse for people suffering from asthma and cardiovascular issues.

Though this situation is not for long duration and air quality is expected to improve in couple of weeks, still this short duration problem is dangerously fatal for our health. You must protect yourself from this dangerous toxic air. Follow this preventive plan so that you minimally get affected from smog.

Refrain from morning walks – Exercising is essential but not when we are breathing toxic air. People who walk, run/jog or engage in any outdoor activity should refrain from doing so until the smog settles. Shift these activities to evening hours.

Use face masks when outdoor – N95/99 masks should be used whenever you step out.

Air purifying plants – Air Purifying plants such as Aloe Vera, Ivy and Spider Plant can be placed in the home and offices. They help purify indoor air and minimize indoor pollution.

Ventilate your kitchen, bathroom – To avoid indoor air pollution, make sure there is a chimney in the kitchen and an exhaust in the bathroom. This will ensure that the air is recirculated. Not many know that indoor pollution can be worse than outdoor pollution.

Restrict outdoor activities for kids – Do not allow your children (less than 8 years to age) to be outdoor. If possible, request school authorities to suspend outdoor activities.

Use air-purifiers – Use air purifiers, especially in kids room and the room of elderly (and even pregnant women). They are most prone to the ill effects of this toxic air.

Take steam daily – Try to take steam with a few drops of eucalyptus oil every day in the evening to relax your air-passages and help your body remove the harmful particulate substances.

Purify your car air – When you start your car in the morning, roll down your window to let the air circulate. Next, run car AC in indoor circulation mode, which will reduce the PM 2.5 level considerably.

Ventilate your home – Open your windows and doors between 3 pm – 5 pm and allow the air to circulate. On a bright sunny day, this is the time slot when concentration of PM 2.5 is the lowest in the air.

Jaggery to detoxify – Eat jaggery (aka gudd) to flush out pollutants from your lungs. You can simply have it raw or replace it with sugar in your daily preparations.

Be rich in vitamin C, omega fatty acids – Consume fruits rich in Vitamin C, Magnesium and foods rich in Omega Fatty Acids. A healthy diet will help you beat the ill effects of pollution by keeping your immunity up.

Herbal tea – Have herbal ginger and tulsi tea. Having this healthy concoction once or twice a day is extremely healthy for minimizing pollution effects.