6 tips for coping with wildfire smoke
Fire season… “Idaho’s 5th season.”
Though fires are a normal and essential part of healthy forests and a healthy planet, climate change has literally turned up the heat and intensified fire season. Fire season is longer than ever before, extending to areas of the world that didn’t normally feel the impact–and places like Idaho, where smoke from wildfires is normal, are seeing it more than before.
Fire season can be tough to cope with. Many of the summer things we look forward to are not accessible when smoke is really bad; spending time outside gets trickier.
For some, seasonal affective disorder (SAD) actually peaks in the summer months, not the winter. Smoke and heat can make summertime SAD even harder. Knowing that this is a valid experience can help.
Here are some tips to consider when trying to get through the haze:
Change out your air filters with HEPA filters (both in your car and in your home).
Download the Air Now app from the EPA to check the current air quality before heading outside, especially if you plan to exercise or have kids or a respiratory condition.
Invest in a respirator so you can continue to exercise safely when conditions are in “unhealthy” categories or if you’re particularly sensitive to air pollution.
Use your time indoors as a chance to advocate for climate change initiatives, educate yourself about things we can do, or donate to causes you care about. Here are some places to start:
Moms Clean Air Force https://www.momscleanairforce.org/
Healthy Air Campaign https://www.lung.org/policy-advocacy/healthy-air-campaign
Climate & Clean Air Coalition https://www.ccacoalition.org/en
Embrace (as much as you can) the indoor time. Catch up on reading, TV, or another project.
Catch the sunsets. Perhaps the only good thing about intense wildlife seasons is that the smoke makes some nice sunsets/sunrises. Might as well enjoy the colors!
If you’re having a hard time coping, know that there are climate aware therapists (including me) that specialize in this exact thing.
Ready to start your mental health journey?
