10 actionable steps to combat severe air pollution today

*Exercise and asanas can help you prevent all of the above problems. According to Dr Mehta, heart rate and lung capacity are improved by performing high-intensity activities like jumping jacks and spot jogging. Yogasanas while maintaining the proper breathing rhythm are also good.

*One can keep the nasal tract covered when they go out in a polluted or crowded area.

*Practice Jalaneti, a cleansing technique, and Kapalbhati as it helps to expel out lot of dirty gases and pollutants from nose filters. One can also do Anulom-Vilom.

*Most importantly, rest. So, Shavasana where you are truly silent can help the body calm down so that the body does not actively process infection, said Dr Mehta. “Body can combat infections very well and immunity goes high,” said Dr Mehta.

*Proper eating habits are crucial since they will give you the critical energy you need to succeed.

Here is a Functional Medicine Approach to it.

The ability to detoxify these harmful toxins that we breathe in due to air or plastic pollution depends from person to person, mentioned Shivani Bajwa, founder, YogaSutra Holistic Living.

*Improve antioxidant levels in the body

-Add curcumin from turmeric,
-add sulforaphane from cruciferous vegetables
-quercetin from onions and green tea
– Add giloy, stinging nettle root, and oregano oil.

Dr Mehta suggested the following home remedies, provided you have no prior allergies

Add 1/4 teaspoon pippali and 1/2 teaspoon bay leaf to a cup of green tea to soothe your system.
Mix 1/4 cup of onion juice with 1 teaspoon of honey and a dash of black pepper and drink for relief.
Boiling half a teaspoon each of ginger and licorice (mulethi) in tea is for immediate relief.

Are you having herbs regularly in your diet? (Source: Getty Images/Thinkstock)

*Reduce overall inflammation caused by vitamin C deficiency.

*Improve lung capacity to flush out toxins so they don’t get into the bloodstream. Adding a Vitamin E (Tocetrenol version) can help people with breathing issues, said Bajwa.

*According to her intermittent fasting once or twice a week for 14-15 hours can help keep the blood sugar levels in control which spiral out due to infections caused in the body.

*Avoid other synthetic products (hair colors, GMO foods, skin treatments, etc) that add to disruptions in the body especially with women causing excess estrogen which causes constipation and menstruation issues, Bajwa said.

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