Whether you live in a smog-soaked city or you’re noticing worse air quality and increased respiratory symptoms as a result, a dirty haze and quickly turn your lazy summer days into a tense time of coughing or chronic conditions.
Even worse is knowing you can’t single-handedly take on that smog. You’re just one person and your efforts can feel like a single drop in an ocean of air pollutants. In your quest for clean air, though, there are some steps you can take to breathe more easily and protect your health and wellbeing despite the smog.
Control what comfort you can.
You already know that, in most cases, you can’t control the air around you. Nevertheless, you can control other aspects of your comfort this summer. Take some time to shop womens shorts and choose a few that stand out.
You might prefer jean shorts for a casual yet put-together look, or you may choose to take casual wear more seriously with some comfy workout shorts. Paired with a tank top, flip-flops, and lots of sunscreen, you’ll find yourself that much more comfortable and confident, even if you can’t fix every seasonal irritant.
Work towards more significant change.
One person might not be able to take on widespread smog on their own, but they can help make progress towards air pollution prevention and cleaner air overall. Research your local ordinances and legislation to see what’s in place already; the Clean Air Act of 1970 may be a good starting point for your research. Then, learn about clean air technology and how various organizations are working to make a difference.
By garnering support and increasing public awareness of this issue, you might even find you’ve controlled more of the problem than you thought was possible.
Adjust your schedule and plan accordingly.
The EPA has outlined an Air Quality Index to indicate the level of air pollutants and subsequent health risks at a given moment in time. By monitoring your local AQI alerts, you can be aware of when smog will be especially significant. That way, you can adjust your activities for that day, moving your workout inside or rescheduling outdoor errands for a time with cleaner air in the forecast.
Soothe underlying conditions and symptoms.
For those suffering from asthma, allergies, and similar conditions, smog can be a particularly uncomfortable environment. If these conditions apply to you, you might decide to learn how to better manage those symptoms. Talk to your doctor about implementing a new treatment regimen or to figure out how you might minimize air pollutants in your home or workplace to spend a bulk of your time in clean, healthy air.
Do your part.
In addition to learning about clean air technology and raising awareness of smog and other air pollution, an individual can implement small changes to make a dent in the problem. If enough single people make these changes, their impact will compound to make a noticeable difference. Take some time to upgrade appliances and air filters at home and keep vehicles well-maintained and limit their use when possible. Over time, each small change will add up to a big improvement.
From respiratory distress to more general discomfort, smog will inevitably have an impact on your summer—and not in a positive way. However, even an individual on their own can make a difference. Make yourself as comfortable as you can, then work to understand clean air technologies and what changes you can make to begin improving your air quality at home and in the world around you. A comfortable pair of denim shorts won‘t prepare you to single-handedly take on smog but, with proper preparation, you’ll be ready to make progress towards overcoming air pollutants.