It’s that time of year again where the forest fires in Indonesia casts a shroud of polluted air around Malaysia and Singapore. The haze, blown from fires in Sumatra, is lifting air-pollution indexes into the “unhealthy” territory.
The Air Pollutant Index rose as high as 161 on Saturday in Malacca. The smog is Malaysia’s worst since 2005, when authorities declared a state of emergency in two areas. According to the API, the southern states of Peninsular Malaysia are experiencing unhealthy levels of pollution.
Screenshot from Department of Environment
Even Prime Minister Najib Razak expressed his concern about the haze: “The haze situation in Malaysia is going to worsen in the coming days with winds carrying smoke from hot spots in Sumatra”. (Source)
He advises Malaysians to reduce any outdoor activity and to drink lots of water during this period.
The haze unfortunately, will not be able to stop us from carrying out our daily activities, so if you intend to step out once in a while, here are a couple of health tips to ensure that the haze doesn’t effect you completely.
1. Drink 8 -10 glasses of water a day.
2. Stock up on your Vitamin C intake to help with the regeneration of cells in your body. Top 10 Foods With the Most Vitamins
3. Carry a mask in your pocket or bag at all times, especially when you’re in an area with lots of carbon monoxide admission.
4. Cut down on alcohol and coffee as it dehydrates your body and leaches out the nutrients from your body.
5. Consume lots of antioxidant-rich foods like cranberries, corn, capsicum, spinach, berries and tomatoes to eliminate the free radicals found in the haze. 10 Antioxidant-Rich Foods
6. Have a teaspoon of honey before going to sleep to help break down the bacteria and free radicals in your throat. Honey has anti-bacterial properties that can even help eliminate a sore throat.
7. Pollution can also affect your skin, increasing sensitivity, redness and itching. Wash your skin with a gentle cleanser and use a hydrating moisturizer
8. Use moisturizers with antioxidant ingredients like Vitamin A, Vitamin C, and Vitamin E. Don’t forget to use broad-spectrum sunblock in the day time too. TRY : Ole Henriksen Pure Truth Activating Oil
9. Have well-balanced meals rich with protein. Don’t forget to complement your meals with a good portion of veggies and grilled or steamed meat.
10. Get adequate amount of rest so your body has time to repair and recharge. Good sleep can also boost your immune system from falling sick during the haze.
