My Top 5 Sinus Survival Tips

Do you feel stuffed up as the weather cools down? If so, you know it's more than just a little mucus. Your sinuses swell to keep air from moving inside your nose.

And the worst part about it? Most of the "magic remedies" you find online don't work. They either turn your sinuses dry as a desert, or they leave you feeling more stuffed up than before.

But don't worry. Ol' Jeff won't leave you hanging. I've gathered my top 5 "sinus survival tips" for you this fall. And don't worry — there's no nose spray and no pouring water through your nose. These are all lifestyle changes that can help your sinuses during the cold months.

Stay Hydrated: One of the reasons our sinuses get so bad in the cooler seasons is because of the air. Temperatures drop and suck all the moisture out of the air. Which means we lose out on the nice moisture from the air that we had in the summer.

But you can counter this by staying hydrated. For one, that means more water. But it also means limiting your dehydrating drinks, like caffeine and alcohol. You should drink at least half an ounce of water for every pound you weigh.

Update Your Diet: Turns out, some foods produce more mucus than others. If you're feeling stuffed up, try cutting out dairy, wheat, bananas, sugar, peanuts or fatty foods.

Here's a list of foods you should add in to your diet instead:

Lemons
Limes
Fruit
Celery
Cucumbers
Onions
Garlic
Cinnamon
Mustard
Fermented Foods

Check Your Air Quality: Air quality is extremely important to your sinus health. Make sure your air filters are up to date and avoid smoking or using air fresheners. You could also consider getting an air purifier to get rid of mold spores hiding in your home.

Here's a pro tip: Get a plant! Plants are great at cleaning the air around you. Even 1 or 2 plants can improve the air quality in your home.

Stock Up on Vitamin D: Vitamin D is a natural anti-inflammatory. And it seems like we get a lot less of it during the winter months — especially if you stay indoors and away from the sun.

Taking some vitamin D every day can help reduce the inflammation in your sinuses. Foods that are high in vitamin D include oranges, yellow bell peppers, broccoli and kale.

Get Your Workout On: Exercise is one of those "life pillars" that helps all parts of your health. And your sinuses are included!

Try something as simple as a walk around the block. Heck, you may get a little more vitamin D that way too. Or if you want to stay inside, try some light aerobic exercise. The key is to get your body moving to help with your blood flow.

Now you know my top 5 sinus survival tips. Are you going to try them? Leave a comment and tell me your favorite sinus tips.