7 Ways to Protect Yourself from Smog

Climate changes are inevitable and weather changes require us to adjust in different ways. Weather changes can affect our health in many ways and smog is  one one of these.

Climate changes are inevitable and weather changes require us to adjust in different ways. Weather changes can affect our health in many ways and smog is  one one of these.

Smog is a combination of smoke and fog that is an outcome of environmental pollution. Smog has become a recent health challenge due to its harmful effects on human health. The problem has grown particularly severe in recent years.Air pollution is the major reason behind the smog.

The health implications of smog are many and can vary from person to person. Among these, we know how smog can wreak havoc on our eyes and lungs health. One of my uncles developed serious lung dysfunction when he visited us a few weeks ago after returning from abroad. We took him to the best pulmonologist in Rawalpindi who then recommended ways to take care of his lung. There are hundreds such cases around us where people are suffering from health problems due to smog. 

 If you live in a city, or even just outside of it, it is important to know how to protect yourself from the harmful effects of smog. If you have a heart or lung disease, it is especially important to take the right precautions to avoid negative health effects. 

How to Stay Healthy in Smog?

However, there are ways that c can help you to live well with smog. Here are some tips on how to do this.

1- Limit your outdoor exposure

Smog is a common problem and one of  the best ways to minimize its impact on your health is by limiting your outdoor exposure. This is especially important to do during the peak hours when the air quality index is at its worst. Try to not go outside unnecessarily and if you can’t avoid it then make sure to go out for a shorter time. Also, you can plan your day in advance and schedule your multiple outdoor activities in a single visit. 

2- Avoid exercising in smog

If you’re a fitness freak and exercise is a must for you, then make sure to not workout outside. This can be a real problem for people who suffer from respiratory illnesses like asthma. One way is to avoid exercising near roadside traffic. This is because the air quality near busy roads is typically much worse than other areas. So, you can prefer choosing the location where air quality is slightly better or can simply choose indoor workout. 

3- Wear mask

Another way to stop smog from entering your airways is to limit its entry. You can simply wear a mask for this. Wearing a mask is especially important at the places where the air quality index is typically worse. These can prevent you from breathing in the more dangerous substances. But you’ll probably still be exposed to some of the smaller, more damaging particles that are able to bypass the mask and enter your lungs.

4- Clean indoor air

To protect yourself from harmful effects of smog, you need to limit your outdoor exposure but it is equally important to have a clean indoor environment as well. Try to regularly clean your indoor environment and do all that it takes to have a dust free home.You can even have air purifiers at home that filter the indoor air and help you to enjoy a cleaner indoor environment. A  cleaner indoor environment will help you to prevent the side effects of smog.

5- Use public transport

Vehicle emission is one of the prominent causes behind air pollution that results in smog formation. So, to minimize the chances of smog impact on your health try to limit your vehicle emission. A  better approach is to use public transport rather than using your own vehicle. Similar to this, it is advised for the children to use school buses instead of using personal vehicles. 

6- Stay hydrated

Hydration is the key when you are looking to prevent yourself from the harmful effects of smog. Drink a good amount of water because the smoke in smog can leave  your throat irritated and can result in respiratory problems such as allergies. So, it is advised to keep yourself hydrated throughout the day. You can even start drinking warm weather as it helps to soothe your throat and minimize your chances of respiratory problems due to smog. 

7- Wash your eyes

Smog can be super irritating for your eyes as well and can result in dryness and eye itching. So, it is important to wash your eyes often to remove these eye irritants from your skin especially when you return from outside. 

Bottom Line!

Winter smog is a common problem and can result in several health problems. However, following all of these tips can help you to limit your chances of suffering from health problems due to smog. If you still experience problems due to smog effects, it is better to visit your physician.