Deepavali wishes, Diwali regards, and Diwali Shubhkamnas might already be flooding your inboxes and ears on Choti Diwali, the day before this year's Diwali festival of October 31. Choti Diwali is also trending on Google Trends today with more than 50K search volume. While the festival has traditionally been about lights, sweets, celebrating togetherness, and stories, these days, it's also about guarding your health rights. Thanks to the widespread use of crackers and fireworks, the festival time significantly pollutes our air with harmful gases, pollutants and particulate matter. It's also a time when hospitals see many admissions due to respiratory issues and worsening health conditions. If you want to celebrate the festival healthily and peacefully, take these precautions: 

Limit firework exposure
If you are allergic to firework smell or smoke, avoid areas where they are being set off. If you don't want to miss the celebrations, wear masks or tie a towel around your mouth and nose to avoid inhaling pollutants. 
Stay indoors
During the peak celebration time, stay indoors and use air purifiers to filter out pollutants. Also, keep an eye on your area's local air quality index to understand the best time to venture out. You can also try a few breathing exercises in your indoor spaces to strengthen your lung function and stay relaxed. 

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Healthy diet and hydration
Eat antioxidant-rich foods like fruits, vegetables, and nuts to support respiratory health and boost your immune system. Drink plenty of water to help keep your respiratory system moist and functioning optimally.
Take medical help
If you have pre-existing respiratory conditions like asthma, consult your doctor for precautions and medication. If smoke and dust trigger your reactions, get flu vaccines and allergy medicines like antihistamines. 

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