Tips

Tips for a cold and against a stuffy nose

Your body has to fight the virus itself. Patience is therefore the best remedy. Fortunately, there are some useful tips to relieve the annoying complaints of a cold, such as a stuffy nose.

Tip 1: thin the mucus in your nose

• Drinking enough is a must! Moisture thins the mucus in your nose, making it disappear faster. In addition, by drinking enough you support your lymph nodes in the fight against the virus in your body.
• Go steam! You can also thin the mucus in your nose by steaming . This makes it easier for mucus to leave your nose.
• Put an onion on your nightstand. When you cut an onion open, a gas is formed which – as soon as it comes into contact with moisture – causes caustic acid. This is also the reason why snipping an outing triggers so many emotions. The gas ensures that the accumulated moisture dissolves in your sinuses and you can breathe more freely in the morning.

Tip 2: Try a breathing exercise

Ever heard of Buteyko? This is a specific breathing exercise to open your nose. You should notice a difference within five steps:

1. Sit up straight and breathe through your nose as best you can. Your mouth stays closed.
2. Exhale and then pinch your nose.
3. Try to keep your mouth and nose closed for as long as possible.
4. Shake your head at the same time as if you were nodding ‘yes’. You should do this firmly, unless it hurts your neck. Are you really not able to keep it up? Then you can breathe again.
5. Breathe in through your nose, not your mouth. Keep your breathing under control, in other words: keep your breathing small and keep breathing slowly.

Do you notice a (small) difference? You can increase the effect by repeating the exercise several times a day.

Tip 3: tackle excess mucus with nasal spray

Rinsing, spraying or dripping with salt can reduce nasal complaints. Salt removes dirt and bacteria from your nose, restores moisture levels and reduces inflammation of the mucous membrane.

A nasal spray with xylometazoline can also have a relieving effect, allowing you to breathe better through your nose and smell better. Note: nasal spray with xylometazoline should not be used for longer than seven days.

Tip 4: change your sleeping position

Colds and certainly a stuffy nose are disastrous for your night’s sleep . As soon as you lie in bed, you feel the pressure of the mucus in your head increase. To reduce that pressure, you can lie a little higher with your upper body compared to your lower body. This partially relieves the pressure and makes it easier to breathe. Note that not only your head is higher: this can cause neck problems. Make sure that your upper body (back, shoulders, neck and head) is in one straight line. Use a large pillow or several (small) pillows for this.

Tip 5: treat yourself to ginger tea with honey

Open your spice cabinet and make a cup of ginger tea with honey. Super simple and delicious too! Ginger contains all kinds of anti-oxidants, vitamins, minerals and essential oils, which can support your immune system, among other things. Honey has a soothing effect on your throat.

Tip 6: avoid smoke

Smoke irritates the mucous membranes and slows recovery. Therefore, ignore cigarettes and avoid smoke from others. Second-hand smoke is just as bad as smoking yourself!