In the fall of 2020, downtown Los Angeles suffered the worst smog it had seen in almost 30 years when ozone pollution spiked to 185 parts per billion. For many, it was a bleak reminder of the pervasive yellow-brown haze that used to hover over the city. Thanks to its geography and notoriously heavy traffic, LA has a long history of severe air pollution (so much so that during much of the 20th century, the city itself became synonymous with “smog”).
Walking through life with a stuffy nose can kind of feel like wading through deep water. Congestion may cause brain fog, ruin your sleep, and make even the simplest tasks seem overwhelming. Grocery stores and pharmacies stock shelves and shelves of over-the-counter treatments for sinus problems, but many medicines may be too strong for regular use and come with unwanted side effects.
No one enjoys a heat wave. Sure, they’re uncomfortable, and the high temperatures can make it feel like you’re living in a furnace. But the real threat of heat waves comes from the danger they pose to public health. Heat is the number one weather-related killer in the United States, and even non-fatal exposure can lead to dehydration, exhaustion, and, worse, heat stroke.
The benefits of red light therapy, cool sleep, and clean air extend well beyond a few extra zzzs. Functional changes to your bedroom can lead to a deep impact on your body, too. There’s at least one thing we all have in common: We’re all born into this chaotic world. And for most of us, one of the most important ways to endure its everyday effects is to reset the resilience in our bodies with adequate sleep.
Part of raising your vibration or having good vibes is taking action to reduce stress and promote mindfulness. Controlling stress is linked directly to mental and physical health and there are many ways to manage it. We all know that stress doesn’t just come in one shape; it can be physical strain, mental exhaustion, emotional fatigue, or countless others. Scientists even refer to the damage done to our organs by air pollution as “oxidative stress,” which is damage at the chemical level.
Regardless if you are an amateur cannabis grower or are trying to have the best tomatoes in your greenhouse, there is always more to learn. Indoor cultivation requires just the right amount of outdoor ecology combined with a bit of environmental control. After all, beneficial fungi in the soil is good, but mold eating your crop is not.
As we approach the holidays, the usual end-of-the-year festivities are again clouded by concerns about the pandemic. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is continually updating their guidelines for safe holiday travels and get-togethers. If you are having trouble keeping up, you are not alone.
Wildfires have become an increasingly common year-round problem in the U.S., especially in the western states. They not only damage landscapes and manmade structures, but can also lead to a host of health problems, particularly respiratory issues and cardiovascular problems. Exposure to wildfire smoke can also cause headaches.
Whether you are returning after a weekend off or months of working at home, you might feel reluctant to head back to the office — especially if your work environment makes you feel uncomfortable. If you often notice yourself feeling unwell while you are in the office, it may be easy to write it off as job-related stress. However, there may be something more going on, especially if you are not the only one experiencing symptoms.
We are now well into the second summer of COVID-19 and viral transmission is still at the forefront of many people’s minds. Though travel has picked up since this time last year, the unfolding threat of the Delta Variant means that the pandemic is far from gone. All of this uncertainty can throw a wrench into your travel plans, and makes finding the right balance between caution and a sense of normalcy all the more difficult.
I want to start with a disclaimer; I am neither a physician nor a medical expert. My pain has propelled me to dig into scientific literature about airborne infections and control measures associated with ICUs in India. As part of my role as an R&D director for Molekule, I’ve read many scientific articles on air purification. But as a son of a strong woman who was hospitalized while battling serious illness, I’ve gone to great lengths to familiarize myself on the subject of airborne infections and control measures in ICUs—references to some of these sources are given at the end of this article.