Yes, There Is A Right Way To Blow Your Nose, And It Really Matters For Your Health

Vimeo

Cold and flu season are upon us, which means sniffling, sneezing and nose-blowing have become integral parts of our daily soundtracks. But when you hear someone literally honking into a facial tissue, know that the aggressive attempt to relieve sinus congestion is never how you should go about blowing your nose.

Many upper respiratory illnesses come with inflammation (read: swelling) of the nasal passages and extra mucus as your immune system attempts to fight off its attacker. This nasal congestion is often one of the most uncomfortable symptoms of being sick, and the vast majority of us think that blowing our noses with a little extra oomph will help us clear more mucus and, thus, feel better.

However, the Wall Street Journal reports that blowing your nose with all the force you can muster actually generates 10 times as much pressure as sneezing or coughing. And that extra pressure can cause some mucus to shoot back up into your sinuses rather than being eliminated entirely out through your nose, according to Business Insider Science. When you’re sick, that mucus contains the pathogen that’s making you feel ill in the first place, which means you’re allowing it to reach even further into your sinus cavities, risking an even more severe infection and prolonging the duration of your illness-based discomfort.

Not to mention, constant nose-blowing tends to make the existing inflammation of the nasal passages even worse, so any sense of relief you’re providing is definitely short-term.

Luckily, there is a much safer, healthier and comfortable way to alleviate unwanted sinus pressure. Simply close off one of your nostrils, gently blow out of the open one, and then switch sides and repeat. In the meantime, an OTC anti-inflammatory medicine can help relieve the swelling in your poor sinuses, which, in turn, makes it easier for any remaining mucus to drain naturally.

So spread the pretty disgusting word to all of your friends who use hurricane-like forces to blow their noses when they’re under the weather. Gentle breaths one nostril at a time really is the only healthy way to go.

[h/t Business Insider Science]