Respiratory health is always important IMO, but we are all hyperaware about it right now because of this coronavirus pandemic. Instead of feeling helpless, let’s chat about a few ways to be proactive.
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But first, let’s have a quick lesson about air pollution …
Air pollution is linked to common respiratory issues like asthma and allergies, as well as other chronic illnesses such as heart disease and hypertension. But when we think about air pollution we typically think about the outdoors — the smog that seems to hover above all the big cities. (Isn’t it fascinating to see how clear LA skies are these days since we are all quarantined???) But in actuality, there’s a lot of air pollution INSIDE our own homes. The Environmental Protection Agency believes indoor air pollution to be greater than outdoor air… anywhere from 2-5x greater. Isn’t that crazy? And now we are all quarantined inside these walls 24/7 with all this junk?!
Here are 3 ways we can do something about it:
Remove the Sources of Pollution
Some of the biggest culprits include air fresheners, scented candles, cleaning products, and personal care products. We’re talking about a whole lot of fragrance and toxic chemicals here. Now is the time to ditch those candles and plug-ins, you guys. They are NOT GOOD for anyone, especially right now.
And while I understand everyone feels compelled to clean every single surface with Clorox wipes and spray Lysol everywhere, those things are incredibly damaging to our bodies and environments. I do keep both on hand for dire situations, but I don’t think they are necessary or good for constant use. There are many safer products available that have been shown to kill COVID-19, without adding to air pollution. And don’t forget that good ole soap and water is the best way to break down the virus. But again — choose soap without toxic fragrances. My recommendations for safer options in these categories are Beautycounter, Branch Basics, Dr. Brite, Dropps, Forces of Nature, Primally Pure, and Puracy. These are all products I personally use in my home and on our bodies.
Open Your Windows
This one is easy, yay! We live in a world where we keep everything locked up so our homes are as energy-efficient as possible … and while that’s good for the pocketbook, it also locks in a lot of junk. Chemicals are constantly off-gassing from things like furniture, clothing, paint, flooring, and all the products I already mentioned. If we never open up our houses, those things just stay trapped inside. Kinda like us right now, you know? So we just breathe it in all day long, yuck.
Try to open up those windows at least once a day. The fun byproduct is that fresh air is also really invigorating! *If you really wanna step up your game, look into air purifiers such as Air Doctor Pro or Tru Sense Wellness.
Drink Water
Ohhhh yes, it always comes back to getting enough H2O. But what does it have to do with our respiratory health? Here’s the deal: drinking adequate amounts of water helps to keep the mucus lining of your airways and lungs thin, which is exactly what we want.
When we are dehydrated, the mucus thickens and gets sticky, which slows down respiration and makes you more susceptible to illness. Plus it’s known to make asthma and allergies worse, as well as contribute to chronic bronchitis. So keep drinking that water to keep the mucosal lining of the lungs thin and fight off infections! This keeps our lungs healthy and functioning optimally. (Plus, water is a crucial piece of detoxification — we need it to help flush out toxins that accumulate in our bodies.)
I don’t know about you guys, but just knowing I can do SOMETHING about this topic makes me feel a lot better. So let’s make a collective pact to get rid of the indoor pollutants, open up those windows for some fresh air, and keep chugging that water like a boss.
