GOOD MEDICINE: Is your house making you sick? / The healing aroma of nutmeg / The 5-minute breathing exercise that works

HOUSE PROUD: Experts recommend cleaning your mats and rugs at least once per week.

* If you find that you're prone to post nasal drip or a dry scratchy throat your house could be the culprit. According to Woman's World, at least 52 million people are sensitive to common household irritants like dander and dust And since we've been spending more time indoors (thanks, Covid) the symptoms can get worse. Here's how to breathe easier... 

1. Wash your bath mats and towels every week using hot water and, if possible, toss them in a hot dryer for 30 minutes. You'll kill 94 percent of the dust mites and allergy-triggering mold hiding in their nooks and crannies. 

2. Opening a few windows for two minutes can whisk away up to 45 percent of the allergens making you miserable. According to Canadian researchers, most of the allergens causing sinus trouble are airborne and a gentle breeze can quickly clear them out of your home. 

3. Spritzing your sinuses with a saline nasal drip is great for speed healing from colds and viral infections. Saline rinses flush out dust, dander and other irritants. And gently blowing your nose after each rinse can reduce your indoor allergy symptoms by as much as 35 percent. 

* According to research published in The Journal of Medicinal Food, breathing in the familiar aroma of nutmeg (the spice or the essential oil) can help you feel much happier in two minutes. Myristicin, the active ingredient in nutmeg, energizes the nerve cells that produce serotonin, while stimulating the focus-enhancing frontal lobes in your brain. 

* Try this... for deeper breaths and better airflow 

While sitting, put one hand on your chest and the other below your ribcage. Inhale through your nose so your stomach moves out against your hand. The hand on your chest should remain still. Tighten your stomach muscles as you exhale through pursed lips. Do this for 5 minutes up to 3 times a day. 

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