1. Drink water. When you think you have drank enough, drink more. And more. Flush and hydrate your system.

2. Get your antioxidants – Vitamins A, C, E, beta carotene, lycopene, selenium. The vegetables & fruits that are red, orange, yellow, green, blue & purple. Berries. Frozen berries are my favorite right now, right out of the freezer and into a bowl.

3. Vitamin / Electrolyte packets are really helpful (also rich in antioxidants). Whenever I was out working during a fire, I would add 1-2 electrolyte packets to water daily.

4. Reduce your activity time outdoors.

5. Close the windows.

6. If you have an air filter, now is a good time to turn it on.

7. Liver supportive foods – Brassica plant family, beets, artichokes, Brazil nuts, and lots of fiber.

7 1/2.  Did I mention hydrate?

8. Reduce further burden on the body – Smoky days are good days to avoid other stressors to the body like sugar, alcohol, tobacco, processed foods, known food sensitivities, or even too much time on social media.

9. Did you know exercise adds stress to the body during and immediately after? Rather than exercising on extremely smoky days, opt for some other gentle methods of self care such as meditation, journaling, music, art, gentle and restorative yoga, and bathing.

10. Let go of your expectations on days like these. Prioritize basic self care and essential responsibilities. Cut yourself some slack. We are, after all, in the midst of another devastating fire season, pandemic, election year, and a racial injustice reckoning in this country. Be gentle with yourself, as well as your loved ones. We are in this together.

Our thoughts are with essential workers and farmers whose lands, livelihoods, and health have been threatened by wildfires. We at 21 Acres hope that you are staying safe and taking care of your health in these challenging times.