With the summer months nearly over, we welcome something even more dreaded than the cold, winter months – blocked noses.
When autumn slowly starts to creep in and you’re so congested your face feels like it’s filled with cement, you usually reach for a decongestant or a hot bowl of water and a towel as your first line of defense.
But there’s an easier trick – and it’ll make you feel better even faster.
Speaking to Men’s Health, Lisa DeStefano, D.O. – an associate professor at the Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine – explained how the new technique could be the answer to your congestion problems.
Using your thumb and your finger, gently press the area between your eyebrows for three to four seconds, then press your tongue against the roof of your mouth. Switching between these two moves targets your ethmoid and vomer bones, and alternating between the two actions for 20 seconds will make breathing through your nose easier.
If you can’t get the hang of that, DeStefano says there’s another trick – but you may not want to try it in public.
Insert your right baby finger into the back left of your mouth, and reach as far back behind the molar as you can. Then press upwards on the fleshy area towards your eye and cheekbone.
If you do this for 3 seconds, it stimulates a group of nerves connected to sensation in your face and nasal cavity that will help drain out fluid, Men’s Health reports.
If you want maximum effect, repeat this every few hours.
Problem solved.
