Healthy air, does taking care of ourselves matter if we neglect what we breathe?

In recent times, the world has become aware of the importance of leading a healthier life. If in the second half of the last century the rise of fast food and sugary drinks made us more sedentary, currently there is a push for more information and for controlling our lifestyle. Light and additive-free food, exercise, and even activities that improve our lives. But what about what we breathe? Shouldn’t we think about the need for a healthy air to live better?

Perhaps due to the not-so-visible short-term effects of the damage that air pollutants can cause, the population is less aware of it. For example, a healthy diet has excellent benefits that are also very visible. It is possible to lose weight and look better.

A similar situation occurs with exercise. The benefits of running or playing sports for our health are constantly discussed. We eliminate stress, our physique becomes much more attractive, we have better mood, and our body feels better.

It is no coincidence that much of the rise in a healthy lifestyle is based on improving physical appearance - controlling food and exercising are the foundations for it - although the need to take care of ourselves is also very important for our health, something that many do not overlook. What happens with what we breathe?

Living with a healthy air in our homes and outdoors is not noticeable in the pounds we gain or lose nor in our physical appearance in the short term. However, regarding health, living in polluted environments can indeed be a huge problem. And while the prejudices of breathing stale air or in poor condition may not be noticeable in a short time, the damage can be enormous. Sometimes, even deadly.

What respiratory complications can we suffer if we breathe poor quality air?

• Asthma. Air pollution is one of the major problems that causes asthma. Even for those who do not suffer from the disease, living or engaging in activities in highly polluted air can develop asthma. This is known as occupational asthma. For those who already suffer from the condition, pollution can exacerbate its effects.
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. This refers to inflammation of the lungs that can cause diseases like bronchitis or pneumonia. The main cause is tobacco, but polluted air can also cause these ailments.
• Emphysema. This is also related to smoking, as eight out of ten cases occur in smokers. But pollution can also cause this disease. Pollution accumulates in the lungs and damages the mucus layer that protects them, which infects the lungs.
• Lung cancer. Similarly, this is related to smoking, but lung cancer can also occur from prolonged exposure to polluted air. Special mention should be made if we reside in a place affected by radon gas. In that case, we do have possibilities of suffering complications from lung cancer.
• Cardiac complications. Heart problems and heart attacks are not usually caused exclusively by air pollution, but it can be a significant aggravating factor. For a person with lung problems, pollution can go directly to the heart after passing through the lungs and increase heart rate.
• Problems while exercising. Due to the increase in heart rate, exercising without breathing healthy air can lead to real problems for athletes. If aerobic practice already raises heart rates, pollution can complicate the situation.

Healthy air indoors

If we start breathing healthy air, we will notice a series of beneficial effects that, while not visible like those offered by exercise and a healthy diet, will be felt in our body. Also in the interior of our homes or workplaces:

• We will rest better if we can breathe quality air indoors. This will translate into better rest and will even be noticeable in our skin.
• We will suffer fewer stress problems. Concentration will be better in a job where we breathe healthy air. It is beneficial for productivity.
• We feel more active by being able to breathe better air. We will be more eager to exercise.
• Coughing will be less frequent, bad smells will disappear, and we will notice that our physique works much better.