Having a stuffy nose can be a major hindrance to your daily activities. Not being able to breathe properly can lead to feelings of fatigue, headache, and irritation.

It may also lead to disrupted sleep, which can affect your overall health in the long run. This article provides 30 tips that may help you clear a stuffy nose.

1. Nasal Sprays

Nasal sprays are one of the quickest ways to get relief from a stuffy nose. They contain decongestants, which shrink the blood vessels in the nasal passage and reduce inflammation, thereby opening up the airways.

You can find them over the counter at drug stores.

2. Steam Inhalation

Steam inhalation can help relieve nasal congestion by opening up the airways. You can add a few drops of eucalyptus oil or menthol to a bowl of hot water and inhale the steam by covering your head with a towel.

3. Saline Solution

A saline solution can help reduce inflammation and clear mucus from the nasal passage. You can buy them over the counter, or make your own by dissolving a teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water.

Using a dropper or bulb syringe, you can apply the solution to your nostrils.

4. Humidifiers

A humidifier can help add moisture to the air and reduce inflammation, thereby helping clear a stuffy nose. You can use a humidifier at home or in your office to gain relief from nasal congestion.

5. Neti Pot

A neti pot can help flush out mucus and debris from the nasal passage, making it easier to breathe. You can fill it with saline solution and pour the mixture into one nostril, allowing it to flow out from the other nostril.

Note that neti pots should be used with caution, as they can lead to infection if not used correctly.

6. Ginger Tea

Ginger has anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce nasal congestion. Drinking a cup of ginger tea can help relieve the symptoms of a stuffy nose.

7. Garlic

Garlic has antiviral properties that can help fight against the cold virus that causes a stuffy nose. You can eat it raw or add it to your food to get relief.

8. Spicy Food

Chili peppers and other spicy foods can help open up the airways and provide relief from nasal congestion. The capsaicin in chili peppers can act as a decongestant, making it easier to breathe.

9. Elevation

Sleeping with your head elevated can help drain mucus from the nasal passage and reduce inflammation. You can prop up your head using an extra pillow or a wedge.

10. Hydration

Staying hydrated can help reduce inflammation in the nasal passage and thin out mucus, making it easier to breathe. Drinking plenty of water and other fluids can help keep the airways moist and reduce congestion.

11. Rest

Getting enough rest can help the body fight off infections that cause a stuffy nose. Taking a break from your busy schedule can help your body recover and heal.

12. Warm Compress

A warm compress can help open up the airways by reducing inflammation in the nasal passage. You can dip a washcloth in warm water and place it over your nose and sinuses for a few minutes.

13. Avoid Irritants

Avoiding irritants such as cigarette smoke, pollution, and dust can help prevent inflammation in the nasal passage and reduce the risk of a stuffy nose.

14. Essential Oils

Essential oils such as eucalyptus, peppermint, and tea tree oil have decongestant properties that can help clear a stuffy nose. You can add a few drops to a bowl of hot water and inhale the steam, or apply them topically to the chest and temples.

15. Onion and Honey

A mixture of onion and honey can help stimulate the immune system and provide relief from nasal congestion. You can eat them raw or mix them in tea.

16. Vitamin C

Adding more vitamin C to your diet can help boost your immune system and reduce the risk of a viral infection that causes a stuffy nose. You can eat fruits such as oranges, strawberries, and kiwi, or take vitamin C supplements.

17. Zinc

Zinc has antiviral properties that can help fight off infections that cause a stuffy nose. You can take zinc supplements or eat foods such as oysters, beef, and poultry which are rich in zinc.

18. Nasal Strips

Nasal strips can help open up the airways by physically pulling apart the nostrils. You can find them over the counter at drug stores.

19. Acupuncture

Acupuncture can help stimulate the immune system and reduce inflammation, thereby providing relief from nasal congestion. You can find a practitioner in your area to get treatment.

20. Yoga

Yoga can help improve breathing and reduce inflammation in the nasal passage. Practicing yoga poses such as the bridge pose, the fish pose, and the cobra pose can help reduce nasal congestion.

21. Avoid Dairy Products

Dairy products such as milk and cheese can lead to the production of mucus, thereby worsening the symptoms of a stuffy nose. You may want to avoid these foods until you are feeling better.

22. Nasal Irrigation

Nasal irrigation can help flush out mucus from the nasal passage and provide relief from nasal congestion. You can use a saline solution and a bulb syringe to irrigate the nasal passage.

23. Warm Shower

A warm shower can help open up the airways by reducing inflammation in the nasal passage. The steam from the shower can also help loosen mucus and make it easier to breathe.

24. Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar has antibacterial properties that can help fight off infections that cause a stuffy nose. You can mix a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar with a glass of warm water and drink it daily for relief.

25. Ginger and Lemon Juice

A combination of ginger and lemon juice can help reduce inflammation and provide relief from nasal congestion. You can mix a teaspoon of grated ginger and a tablespoon of lemon juice in a glass of warm water and drink it.

26. Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Adding more omega-3 fatty acids to your diet can help reduce inflammation and boost the immune system. You can eat foods such as salmon, flaxseed, and chia seeds which are rich in omega-3s.

27. Chicken Soup

Chicken soup has anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce the symptoms of a cold that causes a stuffy nose. It can also help keep you hydrated, thin out mucus, and provide nutrients to the body.

28. Vitamin D

Vitamin D can help boost the immune system and reduce the risk of a viral infection that causes a stuffy nose. You can get vitamin D either from sunlight or by taking supplements.

29. Quit Smoking

Smoking can irritate the nasal passage and lead to inflammation, thereby worsening the symptoms of a stuffy nose. Quitting smoking can help prevent nasal congestion and improve overall health.

30. Consult a Doctor

If your stuffy nose persists for more than a week or is accompanied by fever, coughing, or chest congestion, you may want to consult a doctor. They may prescribe medication or give you further advice on how to treat your symptoms.