How to Sleep Soundly Through Lahore’s Smog-Heavy Flu Season?
Winter in Lahore isn’t just about chilly weather; it brings with it a blanket of smog that covers the city, complicating the lives of its residents. This isn’t just about reduced visibility, but about the thick air that infiltrates every corner of daily life, making even simple tasks like sleeping peacefully a challenge.
Understanding Lahore’s Smog
Imagine a thick fog that doesn’t just obscure but irritates. That’s Lahore’s smog, a mix of dust, smoke, and pollutants that turns the air quality during the winter months from bad to worse. From October to February, the Air Quality Index (AQI) often hits alarming highs, going well beyond 300, which is considered hazardous. This heavy air doesn’t just make it hard to see; it makes it hard to breathe, leading to increased coughing, respiratory issues, and disturbed sleep, especially for those already fighting the flu. If that isn’t alarming, social media feeds are full of images calculating the life expectancy of Lahori residents and reducing it by 7 years due to the smog. With such news popping up, one needs to go to bed and call it a day.
Tips to Manage Sleep During Smog and Flu
When flu season meets smog, sleep becomes a casualty. Here’s how you can fight back and ensure you get the rest you need:
- Keep the Air Clean at Home: With outdoor air quality poor, ensure your home’s air is cleaner with the help of air purifiers equipped with HEPA filters. Keep your windows closed during high smog times.
- Control Humidity Indoors: A humidifier can be a savior, adding moisture to the air that helps soothe dry throats and congestion, common flu symptoms exacerbated by smog.
- Hydrate More: Drink plenty of fluids. Warm drinks like herbal teas can soothe the throat, loosen mucus, and make it easier to breathe and sleep. We survive on Tapal’s kehwa and Johar Joshanda with a teaspoon of honey.
- Prepare Your Bedroom: Make it a sleep sanctuary. Dark curtains, comfortable temperatures, and hypoallergenic bedding can make a big difference. Most importantly - keep the 120 joint family members out during sleep time.
- Stay Indoors: When the AQI spikes, stay inside as much as possible, especially during late evenings and early mornings when smog is thickest.
- Wind Down Right: Establish a calming pre-sleep routine. Light reading, or a warm bath can signal your body it’s time to wind down.
Add a Natural Sleep Aid
In times when sleep seems just out of reach, a little natural help can go a long way. Consider incorporating Forty’s Goodnight Sleep Gummies into your nightly routine. Packed with melatonin and Vitamin B6, these gummies help regulate your sleep cycle naturally, easing you into a restful night even when the flu and smog want to keep you awake. They’re drug-free and designed to help you sleep without forming habits.
By tackling the challenges posed by Lahore’s smog and flu with these strategies, you can enjoy healthier sleep and stronger days, even during the toughest times of the year!