DETOX During Wildfire Season: Tips for your Heart, Body, & Home
The Oregon wildfires have impacted all of us, devastating our communities and natural areas. Even with fire containment and improved air quality, our mental and physical health may still be affected by this natural disaster. Our team members have been sharing tips to keep safe and well throughout the week and want to pass on what we’ve learned to our larger community.
Practice self-compassion
Symptoms of anxiety and depression increase in times of crisis. Are you finding it hard to focus and complete routine tasks? Is your sleep disrupted? Are you experiencing mood swings? These biological responses are normal, healthy reactions to crisis as your body works hard to keep you safe during a perceived threat. Be kind to yourself. It’s okay if you feel on edge or can’t bring yourself to look at your to-do list. Practice self-compassion by allowing yourself to feel and react however you need to.
Rely on your community for supplies
Mutual aid has become more and more available as communities look within themselves for resources. There are many groups in the Portland metro area who can provide services and supplies to those in need. Here are a few of our favorites, but you can also search “mutual aid” with your location for more.
PDX Free Fridge: These refrigerators and pantries are set up along the street to provide food and supplies to their neighborhoods. Anyone can donate or take materials at any time. This week, many of them have been stocked with teas, herbs, and KN95 masks.
Help Them Help Us: This community resource started to provide supplies to protestors dealing with tear gas. During the wildfires, they’ve shifted to providing respirators & DIY fan filters to those in need.
Buy Nothing groups: The name is the purpose! This group is a place for community members to post about items they are seeking or donating. Join these private groups to find out if supplies are available in your area.
Herb Bloc: This collective of gardeners seeks to share herb, food, and plant resources with those in need. During the wildfires, they have been gifting herb bundles around Portland.
Hydrate and humidify
Humidifying the air and drinking water helps keep your nose and mouth moist, preventing symptoms from wildfire smoke. If you don’t own an air humidifier, you can boil a pot of water on the stove instead. Let it simmer or stand over it with a towel on your head for quicker relief. Adding rosemary or thyme to the boiling water can help boost your mood and freshen your home. If you do so, please be aware that there is conflicting information about the physical impacts of steaming herbs. *Note: if you have a gas stove, consider using your crock pot or electric kettle to avoid adding more smoke particles to the air.
Listen to music
Listening to music is one of the quickest ways to shift your mood and energy level. With news and social media intake at an all-time high, it can be easy to forget to turn on your favorite songs. Our staff put together this list of favorite tunes to uplift, dance, and release across the decades!
Build your own air purifier for $40
Most stores are on backorder for air purifiers, so many of us have turned to an affordable way to build our own using a box fan and filter. Due to the widespread use of these DIY filters, box fans and filters have been running low at most stores. Your best chance is trying a local hardware store or shopping in the morning when stores have restocked. If you aren’t able to find a box fan, any flat-front fan can work. The most important aspect for efficacy is making sure your tape seals the filter onto the fan completely. *To take it up a notch, try this double DIY fan filter.