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Smog and stress: practical tips to stay mentally healthy during winter pollution
Winter pollution poses serious physical and mental health risks. Combat stress with mindfulness practices, hydration, skin care, indoor plants, and exercise to improve health and flexibility.
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Image – Canva
With the onset of winter and AQI The already skyrocketing air is not only polluted but also stressful. It’s stressful to even think about walking out your door; It is the smog that engulfs most cities, with the capital being the most polluted. The polluted air we breathe comes with innumerable health challenges, and one such complication is mental stressSeasonal affective disorder (SAD) is real, and winter pollution that grows worse as the years go by is affecting young brains and exacerbating existing health problems for adults.
While precautions such as wearing quality face masks, limiting outdoor time and keeping indoor plantsApart from other things, taking care of your mental health is equally important for your physical health. not to worry! To help you deal with the stress that comes with pollution this season and which looks like it is here to stay, we have some practical tips for you.
stay hydrated: Appearance plays a big role, so much so that sometimes it even affects our self-confidence. Winter pollution and cold air can dry out your skin and body to a great extent, resulting in unnecessary stress. So drink plenty of water! Include herbal teas and hydrating foods in your diet to stay hydrated and maintain moisture levels.
Mindful breathing and relaxation techniques: When hasn’t meditation helped anyone? Self-care is important, and when you meditate, you work to calm your mind. Pollution makes breathing difficult for many people and is even worse for those who tend to feel anxious easily. In simple words, it increases the feeling of bad emotions. Therefore, doing deep breathing exercises or meditation for 10-15 minutes every day can calm your mind and improve oxygen flow.
increase indoor air quality: Although improving the quality of outdoor air is not entirely in your hands, improving the quality of indoor air is not entirely in your hands. Fill your workplace and rooms with indoor plants. They help you in many ways – from providing a pleasant ambiance to filtering pollutants that get trapped in indoor air. Pollutants can worsen stress levels. to receive air purifier And plant as many indoor plants as you can, like snake plants or peace lilies. They work to naturally filter pollutants to improve air quality.
protect your skin barrier:If you take adequate care of your skin, you will eventually feel much better. Winter air coupled with pollution can dry out your skin and irritate it, causing discomfort and stress. help yourself with dedication skin care Routine. A good nutritious diet doesn’t require layering your skin with 10 products. Stick to short, effective. Indulge in gentle cleansing, followed by a serum followed by a hydrating moisturizer. Don’t forget sunscreen! And yes, take care of your lips, do not let them crack.
regular physical activity: Even though polluted air forces you to stay indoors, it is extremely important that you keep yourself physically active. You certainly don’t need a huge field to exercise or indulge in a good yoga session. Exercise has long been linked to reducing stress levels by releasing endorphins and helping to flush out toxins from the body. So, even if you want to keep it light, go for indoor workouts like yoga, stretching or cardio sessions.
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