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Recognize that flushing out toxins is a good thing. Avoid over-the-counter decongestants if possible. Take a hot shower. Eat something spicy. Use saline nasal spray. Use a vaporizer. Blow your nose often. Sleep with an extra pillow. Use a vapor rub on your chest and back.
Nobody likes having a runny nose. However, flushing out mucus and phlegm is an important way for your body to get rid of toxins or harmful infections. Resist the urge to keep yourself blocked up. Instead, assist your body in expelling as much mucus, snot, and phlegm as possible. You will recover more quickly. Decongestants might help temporarily clear your nose and head. However, these medications might also cause "rebound effects" that actually prolong the symptoms of a cold. You should only resort to these medications if they are absolutely necessary to your comfort, your ability to breathe, or your ability to sleep. Otherwise, you are better off using other methods of keeping your passages clear. The steam can loosen the mucus in your nose. Breathe in deeply during a long, hot shower. Be sure to keep the bathroom doors and windows closed, and do not turn on a fan during the shower. You want to keep the room as warm and steamy as possible. Spicy foods can encourage your nose to run, which can help your body rid itself of virus-filled snot and mucus. Some studies have also shown the immune-boosting effects of spices such as turmeric and fenugreek, which are often found in spicy foods such as curries. Saline nasal sprays can be found at most drugstores and grocery stores. By inserting a nozzle into your nostril and squeezing the bulb, the saline solution reaches deep inside your nasal cavity, breaking up blockages. This will allow your passages to clear and will help your body expel any irritants that might be worsening your cold symptoms. Keeping your mucus membranes moist is essential to preventing infection and to staying comfortable while dealing with a respiratory illness. A vaporizer helps keep the air in your room from drying out, especially during winter months when your heater is on. Use a vaporizer when you feel symptoms coming on, and use the vaporizer every night while sleeping. Follow all instructions for using a vaporizer properly to ensure that molds and bacteria do not enter the vaporizer. Keep facial tissues handy, and blow your nose often when you feel cold symptoms begin. Don't blow too hard to prevent the possibility of ear infection. If you are finding it difficult to blow your nose, use a nasal spray solution to break up any blockages in your nasal passages. Your body will more effectively drain its passages when you remain upright. It is especially difficult for your body to rid itself of mucus while you are lying down to sleep. Use an extra pillow or two to keep your head and neck propped up in bed to promote the healing process. A vapor rub can help those with colds or those who feel a cold coming on to continue breathing properly. Rub a small amount of the vapor rub on your chest and back. This is especially helpful to do before bedtime to make sure your body gets the rest it needs to fight infection. Do not use a vapor rub on your nostrils.