There are 5 reasons to ditch working out in a polluted environment. Exercising is one of the biggest boons for your body. But, at times, they can prove to be fatal if you don’t mind a few precautions. Now, have you ever jogged or worked out in a smoggy morning? If you have and are still continuing to do so, know the risks that you throw out for yourself while doing so.
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The Negative Impact on your Body Parts
Air pollution, especially in the winter mornings can turn out to be immensely harmful for your body parts. It can negatively affect their optimal functioning and cause severe illnesses in the long-run. Exposure to the Particulate Matter (PM) hanging free in the air and entering your body through nose, mouth, or skin impacts you profoundly.
Brain
Generally, people with an active lifestyle have a better brain activity and lesser chances of dementia (forgetfulness) than the people with a sedentary lifestyle. But, new studies conclude that if you work out in polluted air, then the benefits are negligible. Intense acts of running or cardio exercises compel us to breathe heavily, thus inhaling higher levels of polluted matters.
Heart
Exercise is great for the heart and cardiovascular system. But the second out of 5 reasons to avoid exercising in bad weather is related to declining heart health. A research found out that the high levels of physical activity and rising pollution in the air leads to the increased chances of cardiovascular disease and massive noncommunicable illnesses.
Lungs
The deposits of air pollutants like PM, ozone, nitrogen dioxide, and others on your lungs or airways due to the frequent breathing amidst a heavy work out tends to flare up complications in the respiratory tract and may trigger reactions in people who suffer from COPD, asthma, or other problems related to the respiratory system.
Eyes
Your eyes are usually quite sensitive due to the heavy blood flow in the region. Eyes cannot tolerate minute particles like PM 2.5 that you find in polluted air. Exposure to pollutants and airborne chemicals may trigger long-term discomfort, swelling, redness, and dryness.
Stomach
The fifth and the last of the 5 reasons you should not oversee your health while working out in a poor AQI is the regular affects on your stomach and gut. Heightened receptivity to air pollutants can alter the bacterial functions and biological processes in your gut that normally is responsible for obesity and diabetes.
Can You Work Out Indoors?
You are unsafe from physical activity outdoors due to the air pollutants suspended in the surroundings. The same logic applies to the exercises indoors as well. If your indoor space is unfiltered and has open windows that can transmit dust, Particulate matter and harmful gasses from outside, then it is not a fit place to carry out your exercise. Does it mean you should stop working out altogether? No.
How To Protect Yourself?
Physical activities have tremendous benefits attached to it. There is plenty of solid research and studies that link workouts with increased immunity making organs happy and an individual healthy. You should rather look for alternate ways to tackle this problem.
Safety Tips for Working Out
There are a few tips to follow that ensure a safe workout even in the face of air pollution.
- Check the level of AQI (Air Quality Index) in your locality. Try to walk in an area that has low AQI levels.
- Install air purifiers for indoor workouts.
- Wear a mask, preferably N95 before you head out for your workout outdoors.
- Avoid highways and choose a green lane to jog by.
- Prefer going out in the sunny morning.
- Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes and use eye drops to keep them moist and prevent dryness.
In a Gist | 5 Reasons to Not Exercise amid Air Pollution
To sum it up, air pollution negatively impacts your health and well-being but you cannot overlook the benefits of physical activity for gaining a healthy body and a better way to live. The 5 reasons to avoid exercise in smoggy weather are due to the negative impacts on your vital organs like brain, heart, lungs, eyes, and stomach. Keep yourself healthy by including a clean diet and an active lifestyle to your daily routine.
