As if having sinus problems wasn’t a big enough problem in itself, many patients report that stress causes sinus problems.If you’re the sort of person who avoids taking drugs because of the potential for addiction, natural methods can help reduce your stress, as well as reduce your sinus pain.Here are a few proven natural anti-stress techniques and ways to treat symptoms that you can start trying today.

Exercise

There are a variety of stress causes affecting people these days, from problems at work, school or at home. For many individuals, the best way to promote relaxation is through regular exercise. If you’ve been sedentary lately, it’s prudent to start out slowly and to consult with your primary care provider to make sure what exercise level is best for you to start at.Begin with regular walks, preferably outdoors where you can benefit from fresh air and sunshine. But if the weather is bad, you can always go to the mall for a brisk walk. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, “just 30 minutes per day of walking can help boost your mood and reduce stress.”

Natural Remedies

Regardless of the stress causes that are currently plaguing you, rest assured that there are some natural remedies that have proven successful for others in the past.For example, you can try using steam. A heated humidifier will spread clouds of steam to naturally relieve sinus problems. You can also stay in a closed bathroom to inhale steam while taking a shower.Essential oils such as eucalyptus oil to lower inflammation and peppermint to clear blockages are other time-honored methods to bring relief. Patients also cite the use of a neti pot to irrigate their tissues as bringing them success, as does the use of warm washcloths applied periodically to the face to open and clear sinus passages.

Make Sure to Get Proper Rest

Sleep deprivation can take a toll on your physical health. Lack of restorative sleep will stress you out, so follow a schedule to make sure that you hit the sack with plenty of time before the alarm sounds in the morning.

Set Goals to Focus Your Energy

Instead of feeling overwhelmed by all the tasks you must accomplish, you can gain greater control over your time and things to do by making a list of goals, ordered by their priority. As you check off each item on the list, you will gain a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment to reduce your level of stress.When natural remedies for stress fail to provide you with the relief you need for your sinus pain, there’s no need to fret. As an alternative, you can take advantage of a minimally invasive method, balloon sinuplasty. A doctor simply inserts a balloon into the patient’s sinus cavity. As the balloon is inflated, it actually adjusts the structure of the nasal cavity to make breathing easier, without the patient needing to be cut open with a knife.To learn more about using balloon sinuplasty to alleviate sinus pain or to set up an appointment, please contact the American Sinus Institute today.