Living big cities can always have many advantages like job opportunities, culture, and endless activities, but it can also have a not so good side: urban contamination. Breathing polluted air every day is not good, it increases the risk of asthma, chronic bronchitis and even Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
But why are some cities so polluted in the first place? The reason is that gases like tropospheric ozone, nitrogen dioxide, and fine particles from factories and cars smoke stay in the air. And then, over time, it can irritate the pulmones, making breathing more difficult.
According to experts, moving to other areas with more vegetation and nature is more than a lifestyle choice, is also a way to safeguard long-term health.
Why city air affects your lungs
In cities, the air is shared by millions of people every single day, and every car ride, bus ride, and factory adds more smoke and pollutants. So when we breathe, we’re breathing substances like tropospheric ozone, nitrogen dioxide, and fine particulate matter that will easily reach our lungs, and cause inflammation, a persistent cough, and even asthma attacks. For those who already have chronic bronchitis or COPD, the air pollution can make symptoms worse and accelerates lung damage.
On the other hand, when we spend time in nature, the whole story changes. Trees act as a natural filter, capturing tiny particles and purifying the air. Breathing in these settings reduces irritation, and allows the lungs to rest. It becomes a shield that protects you from the damage that urban pollution causes.
For this reason, experts frequently advise children and senior citizens to spend time outside in more green zones and low-pollution areas.
A greener environment and better health
It is simple to identify between the air in a city and the air in a natural setting.
Moving away from urban contamination typically usually shows fast results: fewer coughing episodes, less dyspnea, or less tightness in the chest. Besides, living near vegetation can help people with asma experience fewer attacks and needing less medication. When you expose yourself to clean air for a longer time it also reduces the risk of developing COPD, or chronic bronchitis, according to studies.
Furthermore, more physical activity is frequently associated with living in greener areas. Because people tend to play more outside, jogging, or walking and this strengthens the lungs.
This active lifestyle makes your respiratory capacity more strong and promotes general health when if you combine it with air free of high levels of toxic compounds. It’s all win-win.
Cleaner air means healthier lives
Living near nature and vegetation is more than just a matter of liking the landscapes or views; it’s a way of shielding the lungs from the harm that city pollution causes.
Relocating away from polluted areas reduces exposure to tropospheric oxygen, nitrogen dioxide, and fin particles of toxic smokes around. But why if cannot relocate? Not everyone can just from the city to a greener area just like that, or maybe you really like the city. In this case, try to look for ways to be more expose to nature; go for a walk on a big park or the forest, look for places with green areas, maybe a weekend trip from time to time in a greener area. This will already help your lungs a lot!
A higher quality of life, stronger lungs, and fewer illnesses are all associated with breathing cleaner air. It also promotes healthier behaviors like being active and spending more time outside.
Living near nature, or going to visit as much as you can is ultimately about providing our bodies, and particularly our lungs, with the opportunity to remain healthy for longer.