
Living in California has countless benefits: from beautiful beaches to the snowy mountains, the state is full of natural beauty and wonder. It’s also, unfortunately, home to what can sometimes seem like a nonstop fire season. Preventive measures to ensure that your lungs are protected during prolonged periods of smoke are critically important. Here are a few ways that you can protect yourself from wildfire smoke.
- Limit Outdoor Exposure
Unfortunately, you’ll have to put your hiking shoes away for a little while. This goes for both you and your pets (dogs can have even stronger adverse reactions to smoke-filled air than humans). Limit your exposure to outside air as much as possible. Even if you can’t see the harmful particles in the air and do not live in an evacuation zone, your lungs are still at high risk of exposure.
- Turkey Tail Mushroom
Take preventive measures before you go outside and make your tea go the extra mile for your health by adding organic superfood mushrooms to your wellness mix. Turkey Tail, in particular, is regarded as an immunomodulator that has the ability to support your body’s ability to fight infections in both underactive and overactive immune systems. At times when smoke and particles of ash in the air are making your breathing more labored or aggravating an existing immune response, mix a drink sachet of turkey tail into a cup of water or cozy up near a (closed) window with a cup of warm mushroom-powered hot chocolate and a book. Om Mushroom’s Immune Support collection offers a full bodyguard that can help support your immune system with the aid of four organic mushroom species known for their full-spectrum immune benefits. Chock-full of beta-glucans, prebiotics, digestive enzymes, fiber and antioxidants, these supplements can help keep your body and lungs battle-ready during wildfire season.
- Air Purifier System
If you live in a heavily affected area, investing in a high-quality air purifier will help you ensure that the air you are breathing at home is safe. Air purifiers can help offset some of the smoke that you may be exposed to outside of your home and help you get a better night’s rest. Keep your indoor air as clean as possible by keeping windows and doors closed for as much of the time as you can.
- Wear an Air Respirator
Since complete quarantine is highly unlikely, make sure you stock up on air respirators — especially if you are prone to asthma or any other allergies or breathing complications. If you do have a breathing condition, basic paper or dust masks are not enough to keep you protected in high fire season. Instead, make sure you have access to an N95 or a P100 respirator, either of which will protect your lungs from smoke and ash.
- Protect the Air
Make sure you’re not only taking care of your immediate self and surroundings but also staying aware of the effects that your behaviors (that usually are not harmful) do have when it’s high fire season. Make sure you’re not burning any candles, smoking, or even vacuuming. All of those activities pose a risk to increasing your indoor pollution, posing an immediate threat to your health and making your lungs hurt.
Last but not least, drink as much water as possible and keep your immune system as strong as possible so that it’s ready to take on the increased risks associated with wildfire smoke.
References:
- https://www.newswise.com/articles/protecting-your-lungs-from-wildfire-smoke2
- https://www.cedars-sinai.org/newsroom/protecting-your-lungs-near-wildfires/
- https://ommushrooms.com/blogs/blog/turkey-tail-mushroom-benefits
- https://www.airnow.gov/sites/default/files/2020-02/the-right-respirator-and%20proper-fit-508.pdf