Maintaining healthy lungs in toxic air is largely a case of avoiding the outdoors and apply a P2 breathing mask if you do venture out. Smoke inhalation is most often associated with an increased risk of asthma and breathing problems in the elderly and very young. This is especially concerning when you consider that bushfire smoke has the some of the same components as tobacco smoke, just in a different composition.

But aside from the physical symptoms, this bushfire emergency has brought with it feelings of being overwhelmed, saddened, fearful, angry and oppressed.

The recent bushfire smoke haze over Melbourne impacts our health in a myraid of ways. On an emotional level the overcast, smoggy weather can create feelings of depression and anxiety.

When once clear air is replaced with heavily polluted smog, smoke and little visability, it can feel very oppressive. Having to keep our windows and doors closed and taped up to avoid breathing the toxic air and limiting our time outdoors, can make us feel trapped in our own homes.

The light rain and cool temperatures on Sunday only intensified the mental and emotional distress that may Melbournians were experiencing.

For people such as tradies who work in the outdoors this is just one more thing to contend with. Heat, cold, fire, wind, smoke and rain.

Thankfully, Melbourne’s air quality has improved quickly after two spates of smoke haze in the last week. (Not so for Sydney and Canberra who have endured much worse smoke over their cities.)

So what can be done to improve mental health in these conditions?

Firstly, there is a fine line between being ‘aware’ and being ‘alarmed’. Repeated exposure to news stories with almost blanket coverage of our fire ravaged state and country, while necessary, can increase feelings of anxiety and helplessness.

If you live in a fire prone area then you must stay alert to potential fire risk, but in the city it’s usually just dealing with the aftermath, smoke, news, etc. which can be every bit as nerve racking as being on the ground in the bush.

If you are experiencing emotional distress from the bushfires, I encourage you to book an Initial Nutrition or Naturopathic consult to learn how you can fortify yourself mentally and physically through natural means so that you can deal with this situation better.