- Take warm, not hot, showers to alleviate stuffiness. Make sure showers do not last more than 10 minutes so that you don't get tired or dizzy.
Sleep or nap in a recliner or propped up by pillows. Being at least partially upright will help mucus drain out of your nose and not down your throat. This will make breathing easier.
Get extra rest. Your body is already working to grow a human life so taking good care of it by getting enough rest should be a priority anyway. Add in the fact that you have a cold and the importance of rest doubles, especially if you are avoiding medications that alleviate symptoms and give you a false sense of rest. - Keep your body moisturized by drinking lots of fluids. Water is always a good choice, but orange or apple juice can provide extra Vitamin C. Chicken soup and decaffeinated tea are more filling options. Their heat may also help with nasal stuffiness.
A sore throat can be soothed by a salt water gargle. The salt draws out mucus and reduces swelling. Dissolve one-quarter teaspoon of salt into eight ounces of warm water. - Use a humidifier to keep the air around you moist. This will prevent dry coughs and may help with stuffiness. Another way to help stuffiness is to use saline (salt water) drops or spray. Follow directions on the bottle, which will say exactly how many sprays or drops to use in each nostril and how long to wait before blowing your nose.
Help sinus pressure by using a warm, wet wash cloth. Pressing the cloth to your face may help release congestion and thus relieve pressure or pain.
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