Do not jog in air pollution, do this instead

Nov 7, 2023

Jigyasa Kakwani

​Spiraling pollution levels in India​

People in several Indian cities such as Delhi, Kolkata and Mumbai are struggling with a cocktail of pollution-loaded air reaching their lungs. In such a situation, outdoor physical activity is not recommended.

​What if I jog outdoors?​

Exercising outdoors in poor air quality -- especially in early morning or late evening -- is completely out of the question. If you exercise in polluted air, the smaller inhaled pollutants can reach deeper into your lungs. Following are some risks of jogging in poor air quality.

​Risk of respiratory issues​

Jogging in poor air quality can lead to respiratory problems such as coughing, wheezing, sneezing and congestion.

​Less oxygen intake​

Poor air quality means less oxygen is available for your body, making it harder to breathe. This can put pressure on your respiratory system, potentially causing fatigue.

​Headache​

Exposure to air pollution can also trigger headaches or migraine.

​Watery eyes​

Air pollution can irritate your eyes, leading to watery eyes, swelling or redness.

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Worsens existing health conditions

Individuals with pre-existing respiratory conditions like asthma or COPD may experience worsening symptoms when exposed to polluted air during a jog.

​Stress on heart health​

Your heart has to work harder in polluted air to supply oxygen to your muscles, potentially straining your cardiovascular system.

​Increased vulnerability to infections​

Weakened lung defenses due to polluted air can make you more susceptible to respiratory infections.

You can jog at home too

In order to not compromise on your workout routine, you can jog at home on a yoga mat, trying various walking variations. You can also jog on a treadmill, climb up and down the stairs, or use a stepper (or an appropriate stool) to get your daily workout done.

Thanks For Reading!

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