Sydney you picking your nose more than normal? (Hopefully, you are and after reading this you will understand that it could be a good thing) seriously is this hazy air causing concern? Worried about poor air quality as well as the sadness of the bushfire situation?

HAVE YOU BEEN ADVISED TO STOP GOING OUTSIDE, LIMIT YOUR KIDS OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES AND STAY INSIDE TO LIMIT YOUR EXPOSURE TO POLLUTANTS.

WHAT IF I GAVE YOU ACCESS TO THE MOST EFFICIENT AIR FILTER FOR FREE?

I’ve had several discussions lately with lots of people who are changing their behavior as a result of the current smoky air in Sydney. Friends and clients who love to exercise outdoors are reducing their activity due to fears around inhaling the smoke particles. I’ve seen social media that suggest smoking cigarettes is less damaging than being outside.

But what if we could filter the air to reduce the effects of the pollution without fancy equipment and for zero $$$??

GREAT NEWS…… WE CAN!!!

How? Well, let’s look at closing our mouths and breathing the way we are designed to…

The nose is a miraculous air filter and is the perfect pathway for the breath. The tiny hairs that line the nasal passages humidify, cool, heat and filter what we breathe in. According to Gwen Lawrence’s blog on Gaiam, it is estimated that these little hairs (called cilia) protect our bodies against 20 billion of these particles every day. Once the cilia have done their job, the mucus lined windpipe can trap additional unwanted particles before the air reaches the lungs.

But most of us are breathing through our mouths. Without filters directly into the throat, upper chest, and lungs. This mouth breathing can have a profound negative effect on our health even in clean air but during times like these, the respiratory system finds it even harder to cope.

My advice is to keep exercise outdoors if you're not feeling any health problems, such as itchy or burning eyes, throat irritation, runny nose and illnesses such as bronchitis.

But only breathe through the nose. This will reduce air intake and reduce the intensity of the exercise. If you are concerned do chat with your GP.

Deano N Katy

Breathwork and outdoor exercise in current Bushfire smoke