If a Stuffy Nose Follows You to Church, Smite It Down.

Nasal congestion is hardly a fun experience at any place or time, but there are those moments in which a stuffy nose seems to be especially unfortunate. If you are sitting in a pew at church or a similar religious service, you know how it feels to try to be as subtle as possible in your attempts to breathe. With a few strategies, it can be far easier to attend a service without drawing attention to yourself.

The Reality of Being a Bit Under the Weather at Church

A Sunday morning spent at church is touched by the sacred. The greeting to the dismissal take the listener through a quick circuit of the liminal stages: the entrance into a specific place for a particular period of time; the temporary transformation of the congregation into a larger community of believers taking joy in the presence of their deity; and the final reemergence into the outside world, changed by the communion with the divine. In that environment, it is a natural drive to avoid or minimize any disturbance.

Considering, however, the degree to which may churches wish to bring in new members or simply have a full sanctuary, many if not most churches will be overjoyed for you to be at the service whether ill or not. So even if nothing truly mitigates the expression of nasal congestion, most of your fellow attendees will be understanding even if they keep a bit of a distance after the final prayer and dismissal. But before leaving the house, many options are worth debating.

Taking the Subtle Medication Route

Since one of the primary objectives of a church-goer in this situation is to be as quiet as possible when attempting to clear the nose, a thorough blowing of it is an impossibility. So to aid in the battle, one must either utilize medication ahead of time or take along a form of medication to inhibit the symptoms as necessary.

• Depending on the cause of the stuffy nose, a decongestant or anti-histamine can be taken ahead of time, according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Whether prescription or over-the-counter, these can significantly reduce the severity of a stuffy nose and greatly lessen the need for a tissue or hankie.
• A nasal spray is a good tool to have on hand if there has been no time to allow a capsule to disperse through the bloodstream, and its own effects can last for several hours, though the relief can begin immediately. As the spray targets only the nasal passage without spreading through the rest of the body, this is a wonderful tool to have if there is no aversion to spritzing a mist up the nose. Although both are available in prescription form, only decongestants are available in over-the-counter sprays. These sprays should not be used constantly. They can eventually irritate the inside of the nose and contribute to symptoms, and are considered by some professionals to have some addictive properties. While this a reality that applies to capsules and tablets, the quick absorption of sprays means more caution should be exercised.

 

Trying a Less Pharmaceutical Remedy

One of the common sorts of sharp but pleasant flavors that cut through the mouth, menthol can have some benefits in assisting nasal congestion. Peppermint oil in particular is known to be of use. Among the best methods is to take a couple cups per day of peppermint tea, inhaling the steam first, which works along the same principle as the nasal spray. For an environment such as the church environment, the oil itself can utilized.

Once it is confirmed that the essential oil is suspended in a neutral oil such as sunflower—a pure essential oil can be diluted at home if necessary—it can be dabbed very lightly under the nose. A bottle can easily be placed in a purse or a jacket pocket, or the oil could be brushed onto a hankie or piece of clean cotton. Either can be stored in a bag and brought out whenever needed. Not only using peppermint oil be far less noticeable than blowing your nose, but the smell of peppermint might even be appreciated by those sitting around you.

Nasal congestion at church is a well-known annoyance and it is a situation that any regular attender will eventually confront. When you remember that any other of your fellow church-goers would rather have you beside them than avoiding a service because you are suffering from sinus problems, going despite a non-infectious condition seems less worrisome. Being prepared with a few small tools to confront any sudden flareups while in the pew—whether medicine or an herbal remedy—means that you can do even more that will be appreciated. Not to mention that when you aren’t playing the role of the orchestra’s trombone, every word from the minister or priest’s mouth will be heard, and that’s why you are there in the first place.

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