With the winter cold often comes an onslaught of colds, the flu, allergies, and sinus infections making breathing such a laborious task. Not only does trying to take in oxygen wear you out during the day, but trying to catch some shut eye when you're congested is nearly impossible for you and the person you're sleeping next to. Below, some tips and tricks to clear up your nasal passages and have you breathing easier in no time.
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1. Using a humidifier will add moisture to the air, which thins out the mucus in your nose so you can breathe better. If you don't have a humidifier, you can get the same effect by taking a hot shower and breathing in the steam. Or just run hot water on your sink, place a towel over your head and sink, and then bend over to breathe in the steam.
2. A lot of people I know swear by their neti pot, a little teapot shaped vessel that holds a saline solution of distilled or sterilized warm water and salt to irrigate and wash out your nasal passages. You tip the pot into your nose so that the liquid enters your nose through one nostril and exits out the other.
3. An over-the-counter saline spray is another way to moisturize your nasal passages when the air gets too dry.
4. Decongestants are a-plenty at any drugstore or pharmacy. These will provide relief from cold, flu, or allergy symptoms while your body attacks the germies. Just be sure to seek a doctor if you find that your congestion hasn't improved after three days as decongestants can worsen your stuffiness after prolonged use.
5. Try chicken noodle soup or hot tea with honey and lemon. While a study discovered that the pleasure of drinking warm liquids to relieve congestion was simply due to a placebo effect, it's still worth a go.
6. Placing a cold or a hot pack to the bridge of your nose can also provide relief.
7. Try using nasal strips at night to open up those passages, propping your head up with extra pillows so your sinuses drain properly, and using a humidifier in your bedroom so your nose doesn't dry out while you sleep. Sleeping while congested is such an awful feeling because it prevents you from getting the rest your body needs to recover.
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