(BPT) - Did you ever wonder why it may be harder to breathe during cold and flu season? Cold air, for one thing. Cold air can irritate airways and make them narrower, increasing mucus production. What else makes you feel stuffy? Spending more time indoors during cold weather may expose you to poor air quality from closed doors, sealed windows and stale air from heating systems which may leave you feeling congested. And, sometimes your nose is blocked due to inflammation and mucus buildup caused by an actual cold or flu virus.

When you're feeling stuffy, here are five tips for clearing your nasal passages to help you breathe easier:

Take a hot shower: The steam created in a hot shower can open your sinuses and help loosen mucus. If a shower isn't available, you can lean over a bowl of hot water. Covering your head with a towel or other cloth can keep the steam in.

Use a humidifier: Adding moisture to the air with a humidifier can prevent your nasal passages from drying out. Be mindful to keep your humidifier clean.

Stay hydrated: Fluids - from chicken soup to cups of your favorite tea - will help loosen the goo in your nose and lungs. Research shows your body needs more fluid for quick relief and to fight off infection.

Flush out the mucus: Nasal irrigation is a safe and easy way to clean your nose when you're stuffed up during cold and flu season. An excellent option is Navage Nasal Care, the #1 doctor recommended drug-free nasal irrigation device according to an independent study of 300 Ear, Nose and Throat specialists. Navage uses gentle, powered suction and a Saltpod^® containing saline concentrate that is combined with distilled, boiled or bottled water to flush out mucus, help with postnasal drip and relieve sinus congestion and sinus headaches. Naväge works fast to flush, moisturize and cleanse the nasal cavity. Find Naväge online at www.navage.com and in many national retailers.

Add a few pillows when you sleep: Elevating your head during sleep can help with mucus drainage and reduce congestion.

Data show that nose breathing not only makes you feel better, it is also good for your heart with positive effects including decreasing blood pressure and heart rate.

'A stuffy nose is one of the most commonly experienced and annoying symptoms during cold and flu season,' said Howard L. Levine MD, listed as one of The Best Doctors in America and Top Doctors in Cleveland, world-renowned expert in nasal and sinus disorders, and consultant to Naväge. 'Breathing easier - and especially through your nose - provides real relief.'