How To Unblock Your Nose When You Have A Cold.

There are several colds and gastric bugs going around at this time, I should know having just gotten over a cold! 
I wanted to share with you hacks like unblocking your nose without taking drugs and ways that we know maintain the functioning of a healthy immune system. It then stands to reason that your risk of catching a virus is  then greatly reduced and if you do end up catching it, your body deals with it quickly and efficiently with minimal disruption.

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Oh no I caught a cold, I thought I was taking all the right supplements so how did the cold get in? What we know from research is there's such a fine balance of our body in our environment (not just our home, where we live but also our diet, lifestyle and stress levels) that influences how well our immune system functions.

In this list below there are going to be things you'll have more control over than others. It's about doing our best with the resources and knowledge we have at this point in time. See what you have control and influence over and where you can make changes for the benefit of your immune system.

Buteyko Nose Unblocking Exercise

I used this Buteyko technique daily to unblock my nose and sinuses. It's been known since the 1920's that holding the breath will unblock the nose. 

It is important that you don't do this exercise if you have cardiovascular problems or are pregnant.

1. Take a normal breath in through your nose (if you can), and out through your nose, pinch your nose and hold your breath...
2. Nod your head whilst still holding the breath until you feel a medium to strong need to breathe in again...
3. When you let your nose go and breathe in you must breathe in through your nose and immediately calm your breathing.
4. Repeat this up to 6 times and you should notice your airways clearing*. 

*It is considered that if this exercise does not clear your nose it is likely that you have a physical obstruction that an ENT specialist will be able to advise you on.

Sleep

Difficult to fall asleep?
Easy to fall asleep but waking up too early?
Broken sleep? Snoring, Obstructive sleep apnoea?
Insomnia?
Less than 4 hours sleep per night?

Poor sleep (less than 7 hours) is associated with a negative impact on the functioning of your immune system.

For more on sleep click here to go to my sleep page.

Sugar

Consumption of sugar in sweets, pastries, fruit and simple carbohydrates etc has a serious negative impact on your immune system.

The trouble we have is it's highly addictive! There are all sorts of strategies for breaking eating habits, here's a good read if you're interested in the neurophysiology of the brain and habits - Habits of a Happy Brain.

The question Dr Gabor Maté asks when coaching for addiction is "I don't ask why the addiction, but rather why the pain?" He's talking about how we self-soothe or distract ourselves with food, shopping, gaming or drugs etc to get that dopamine hit, to feel good whilst covering up emotional pain.

Further Reading: