My Smoky Air Essentials 💨
How I support my body when the air quality is poor!
It was so smoky here last week because of the wildfires! With the air quality so poor, my allergies were definitely taking a hit. I had swollen eyes and a headache all last week 😭
I know I’m sensitive, but I wasn’t even spending time outside, so it’s been pretty wild to see how much it still impacted me! It does make sense though when you think about what’s actually in wildfire smoke. From toxic gases and fine particles to VOCs and even heavy metals, wildfire smoke contains a lot of pollutants that can irritate your eyes, lungs and airways and may trigger symptoms if you already experience allergies, asthma, MCAS or chronic illness. Even healthy people should not be exposed to it either!
Seeing the wildfires, thinking about the people being impacted and worrying about the environment on top of experiencing symptoms definitely adds another layer of stress! It’s honestly scary that we haven’t been able to get these fires under control.
I know I can’t be the only one struggling with the air quality, so I thought I’d share a few of the things I’ve personally been reaching for to support my home and body right now. I’m also including some of my favorite nervous system supports and fun things to do while spending more time indoors!
I hope the ideas below help you feel a little more supported if you’re navigating smoky air too!
SMOKY AIR ESSENTIALS FOR YOUR HOME
AirDoctor Purifier: Using an air purifier with a HEPA filter in your main living area and/or bedroom is one of the best ways to clean the air in your home and support allergies. This one’s my favorite! We have two of them and I always keep them running, even when the air isn’t smoky since they also help to filter out dust, mold spores, VOCs and even bacteria. Use code LESSWITHLAUR for a discount on their entire website!
Levoit Air Purifier: If AirDoctor is out of your price range right now, this is a budget-friendly air purifier. It also uses a HEPA filter and is a great place to start if you’re new to filtering your air! Levoit also makes a larger air purifier, linked here!
Branch Basics Cleaner: One of the simplest things I’ve been doing lately is staying on top of cleaning around the house. Smoke particles can settle on floors, furniture and other surfaces, so regular cleaning and dusting can help keep your indoor air a little cleaner! This is my favorite non-toxic, all-purpose cleaner. Code LESSWITHLAUR gets you a discount on their starter kits!
Microfiber Dust Cloths: Microfiber cloths do a much better job of trapping dust instead of just moving them around, like what can happen with feather dusters or dry paper towels. They also can hold onto smoke particles! I love that these ones are OEKO-TEX certified!
Beeswax Candles: 100% beeswax candles can actually improve indoor air quality! They release negative ions that bind to positively charged smoke particles, dust, VOCs and allergens, pulling them out of the air. Pretty cool!! They also help to naturally mask the smell of wildfire smoke without added fragrance.
Baseboard Cleaner Tool: I’ve had my eye on this baseboard cleaner but haven’t tried it yet. The long handle means you don’t have to bend down to dust your baseboards, which is perfect if you have joint pain! It comes with washable microfiber cleaning pads and is in the perfect shape to fit any baseboard or door molding.
Dyson Vacuum: You always want to look for a HEPA filter in a vacuum so dust and tiny particles aren’t blown back into the air while you vacuum. This one uses HEPA filtration, is cordless, lightweight and is super easy to use.
Shark Vacuum: This is a great budget-friendly vacuum. It uses HEPA filtration, is cordless and has a complete anti-allergen seal!
Microfiber Spin Mop: This microfiber mop is what I use to clean my floors at home. I love that the mop head is made of microfiber to capture dirt and dust, it’s washable and the mop features a built-in wringer so you don’t have to use your own hands. Another great cleaning swap if you have joint pain!
Airthings Monitor: Our IEP recommended this when we moved into our new home. It monitors levels of VOCs, radon, CO2, humidity and more. They also can alert you when fine particulate matter from outdoor wildfire smoke comes into your home. This way you can take extra precautions like closing windows and running your air purifiers. It’s been so useful so far, especially during wildfire season! I have been using it to monitor the air inside of our house! When the smoke got especially bad last week (we had an AQI of 500 here), we were able to tape off a few of our windows with plastic and painter’s tape and visibly improve the quality of our air. Pretty cool!
SMOKY AIR ESSENTIALS FOR YOUR BODY
Beekeeper’s Naturals Propolis Nasal Spray: I love this nasal spray because the saline helps rinse away irritants, while xylitol and propolis provide decongestant support. It’s a great way to keep your nasal passages moisturized and comfortable when the air is smoky!
Navage Nasal Rinse: A step up from nasal spray is to use a nasal rinse with saline for your sinuses. This can be really helpful after being outside in smoky air since it rinses away pollen, dust and other irritants. It helps with congestion and keeps your nasal passages hydrated and soothed.
Marshmallow Root Tea: If smoky air leaves your throat feeling dry or scratchy, marshmallow root tea can be really soothing. It’s naturally rich in mucilage, which helps to coat the throat and can help your airways feel less dry and irritated. The one I’m linking is a loose leaf tea with marshmallow root as the only ingredient. It’s also really good as an iced tea!
Gaia Bronchial Wellness Syrup: This bronchial syrup is made with mucosal supportive herbs and organic honey and without artificial sweeteners, colors or flavors. It’s so soothing for chest and throat congestion, dry coughs and allergies.
Beekeeper’s Naturals Superfood Honey: This honey is so good! The combo of raw honey, royal jelly, propolis and bee pollen is perfect for supporting scratchy throats, inflamed airways, oxidative stress and allergies. I love adding honey to my tea! You can also drizzle it on a yogurt or chia pudding bowl or add to whatever sounds good to you.
Designs For Health Quercetin + Nettles: If you have histamine sensitivities or MCAS, smoke exposure can be especially triggering! I take quercetin regularly to support MCAS and allergy symptoms. Nettles are another helpful support for allergies and I love that this supplement has both! Nettle leaf tea is also a great option!
Clearly Filtered Water Pitcher: When it’s smoky outside, staying hydrated is extra important. It helps support your respiratory health and also helps your body detox what you’re breathing in. This is my favorite swap for upgrading your water filter since it targets 365+ contaminants!
Thorne NAC: Poor air quality can increase oxidative stress, which is one reason I like to keep NAC on hand during smoky air season. It’s also something I reach for when I’m feeling really congested. It helps clear mucus from the lungs, supports respiratory health and is a precursor to glutathione, one of the body’s main antioxidants.
Jigsaw Adrenal Cocktail: I love this supplement! It not only provides electrolyte support for hydration, but it also has vitamin C in it, a natural antioxidant and histamine support! Smoke causes inflammation and oxidative stress, so antioxidants can be a really helpful support.
Rowe Casa Organics Sinus + Headache Salve: If you get headaches or sinus congestion on smoky days, this salve is such a helpful support and it’s made with clean ingredients! You can massage it onto your forehead, chest, behind your ears, on your wrists or under your nose to help open up your airways and relieve pain and pressure. They also make a Breathe Easy essential oil roll on! LESSWITHLAUR gets you a discount on their entire website!
SMOKY AIR ESSENTIALS FOR YOUR NERVOUS SYSTEM
Magnesium Bath Flakes: Taking a bath with these flakes is one of my favorite ways to unwind and relax! They also help me so much with joint pain.
Eat Balanced Whole Food Meals: I try to always prioritize eating balanced meals with plenty of protein, healthy fats and fiber throughout the day, but I feel like it’s even more important when I’m extra stressed. Nourishing your body with whole foods and keeping your blood sugar stable can go a long way in supporting your energy, mood and nervous system!
Indoor Movement: Since I’ve been spending more time indoors, I’ve been finding little ways to keep my body moving. Whether it’s a gentle stretch, pilates or even having a dance party in your kitchen, moving your body is a great way to release stress, boost your mood and can even help support detox!
OSEA Vagus Nerve Oil: I’ve talked about how much I love the OSEA Vagus Nerve Pillow Mist before and this oil is another favorite whenever I’m feeling stressed or overwhelmed! Taking a few deep breaths while massaging it onto my neck or wrists feels so calming. LESSWITHLAUR gets you a discount on their entire website!
Insight Timer Meditation App: When life feels heavy, I love using the Insight Timer app for a quick meditation or breathing exercise. The app is completely free and has over 350,000 tracks to choose from!
Pranamat: I love my Pranamat! It’s an acupressure mat that can help with stress, muscle tension, circulation, pain and more. I love laying on it to release my muscles and to help me relax. The sensation of the spikes can actually help trigger your brain to release endorphins which helps create a sense of calm! 😮💨
Gratitude Journal: Focusing on the good things in my life helps keep things in perspective when I’m feeling stressed. I love this gratitude journal!
Bioptimizers Magnesium: This is one of my go-to supplements, especially when I’m feeling extra stressed! It’s made with 7 different kinds of magnesium to support relaxation, quality sleep and the nervous system. LESSWITHLAUR gets you a discount!
Have Fun Inside: I’ve also been reminding myself that it’s okay to make the most of being indoors! Reading a good book, cooking a special meal, having friends over for a game night or getting creative with a coloring book or another hobby are all simple ways to support your mental health while staying inside.
Tulsi Tea: I love this tea! Tulsi is an adaptogenic herb that supports the body’s stress response. I love drinking it before bed to help me relax. I also feel like it’s super helpful for managing my MCAS symptoms!
🛒👀 NEW NON-TOXIC PRODUCT FINDS
🌿Just Ingredients Microgreens: I love this brand’s products and they just launched new microgreens! Most greens powders are made with fully grown greens, but Just Ingredients uses greens harvested at their peak of nutrient density and freeze-dries them to lock in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and phytonutrients. Genius! I also love that they use real organic fruit instead of artificial flavorings! LESSWITHLAUREN gets you a discount on their entire website!
🍉🍋🟩Just Ice Tea New Flavor: Just Ice Tea makes brewed organic tea made from real tea leaves, blended with real fruit juice, and without artificial sweeteners. They just launched a new Watermelon Lime White Tea that’s available now at Whole Foods! If you don’t have a Whole Foods near you, they also have a few flavors available on Amazon.
🛌Naturepedic Arienzo Furniture: If you’re looking to make some healthier and chemical-free swaps in your bedroom, check out Naturepedic! All of their products are certified to the highest organic standard. This brand is known for their mattresses and toppers, but they also have everything from organic pillows to sheets, bedroom furniture and even organic stuffed animals!
🥔Snackish Potato Chips: Snackish is a new brand founded by Tara Bosch (the creator of SmartSweets). They launched their new chips last month, available at Target! They’re cooked in 100% avocado oil and formulated with potato protein, rice protein, cassava fiber and potato starch. Each bag offers 8g of protein and 3g fiber, they’re gluten free and non-GMO verified and they come in several flavors!
🐾CleanPets By Rowe Casa Organics: Rowe Casa Organics just launched their new brand, CleanPets! Every formula is thoughtfully made and thoroughly tested because our pets deserve the same high quality products with safe ingredients that we do! The collection includes a variety of grooming products, skin care drops and a nervous system calming spray.
✨NEW DISCOUNT CODES✨
🌸Rowe Casa Organics: This brand is absolutely amazing and has so many incredible products with clean ingredients. They have everything from deodorant to haircare to skincare and more. LESSWITHLAUR gets you 20% off their entire website. Stay tuned because I’m going to show you all of my favorite products from them on my Instagram story!
🚨NON-TOXIC SALES
🎂Just Ingredients: Just Ingredients is celebrating five years of being in business by offering 20% off sitewide! They make high-quality protein powder, electrolytes, personal care products and more. LESSWITHLAUR also stacks to get you 25% off!
☕Taylor Dukes Wellness: I recently discovered this brand and I love their chai tea, lemonade and protein coffee! They are having a HUGE sale with 40% off nearly everything.
👗Organic Basics: This brand has amazing organic cotton basics and they are having a huge sale right now. Extra 25% off in cart and my code LESSWITHLAUR10 also stacks for an additional discount. If you’ve been wanting to make the swap to some organic pieces, now is a great time. Look for their options labeled “organic cotton”.
If you are ever looking for a discount code, all of my codes are in my bio! You can also send me a message if there is a specific brand you are looking to shop and I can request a discount code!
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IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:
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