Then, around the one-minute mark, something strange happened. She felt a gentle release in the top nostril. It opened. Not fully, but enough to get a thin, cool stream of air. She kept lying there.

This is the crucial part. After the top nostril opens (about 90 seconds to 2 minutes), gently roll over to your other side. Lie there for another 60 seconds.

When Lena rolled to her right side, gravity and blood flow did their work. The swelling in her left turbinates—now the top nostril—drained. Within two minutes, both nostrils were clear. Not 100%, but enough to breathe, sleep, and think.

“I’ve tried everything,” she whined, her voice sounding like a depressed duck.